Disposition and crystallization of saturated fatty acid in mixed micelles of relevance to lipid digestion

During lipolysis of triglyceride by lipase, monoglyceride and fatty acids are produced which combine with gastrointestinal fluids to form self-assembled structures. These solubilize hydrophobic food components to promote their absorption. The aim of this study was a detailed understanding of structure formation from triglyceride digestion products with saturated short-, medium- and long chain fatty acids. Complementary characterization methods have been applied comprising small angle X-ray and neutron scattering - the latter involving the contrast matching technique using fully deuterated fatty acids - polarized and depolarized dynamic light scattering and cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy. Shape, size and solubilization capacity of the self-assembled structures was dependent on composition and lipid chain length. Crystallization of fatty acid was observed when the solubility limit in the mixed bile salt micelles was exceeded; however, increasing pH and temperature increased the fatty acid solubility. The results provide insight into structure formation and crystallization of incorporated lipolysis products; this is important for a detailed understanding of food structure and nutrition, as well as the rational design of lipid based drug delivery systems.