ABSTRACT

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Lipids consist of a broad group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents but only sparingly soluble in water. They are major components of adipose tissue, and together with proteins and carbohydrates, they constitute the principal structural components of all living cells. Glycerol esters of fatty acids, which make up to 99% of the lipids of plant and animal origin, have been traditionally called fats and oils.1 The difference between oils and fats is that fats are solids at room temperatures.2