ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the sources and composition of the material used, and discusses the sources of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), both natural and industrial, produced from vegetable oil. The levels of CLA that may be obtained from both sources will be compared with the levels demonstrated to have beneficial effects in the intervention studies in humans. The chapter also discusses the differences in the isomer composition in relation to biological effects. CLA is an intermediate in the biohydrogenation of LA; it was generally accepted that CLA in ruminants originated from the incomplete biohydrogenation of LA by rumen bacteria. CLA in human serum was shown to be derived in part from the diet and in part by conversion of dietary trans fatty acids. Alkali isomerization of LA is the common method used in the synthesis of mixtures of CLA isomers resulting in commercial CLA products.
