Question

The predominant saturated fatty acids in eggs are ______.

• A. Palmitic acid punicic acid
• B. Lauric acid caprylic acid
• C. Arachidic acid icosanoic acid
• D. Palmitic and stearic

Hint:

Palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) are the two most common saturated fatty acids across nearly all animal-derived food fats, including poultry eggs.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Eggs are a rich source of lipids, located almost entirely within the egg yolk. These lipids contain a mixture of triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesterol.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The fatty acid profile of egg yolk lipids is composed of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs) make up approximately \(30-35\%\) of the total fatty acids in eggs.
- Among these SFAs, palmitic acid (C16:0) is the most abundant, representing about \(23-25\%\) of the total lipid content.
- Stearic acid (C18:0) is the second most abundant saturated fatty acid, contributing around \(8-10\%\).
- Other saturated fatty acids like lauric, myristic, and arachidic acids are present only in trace amounts.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The predominant saturated fatty acids in eggs are palmitic and stearic acids.