Most natural triacylglycerols do not have a random distribution of fatty acids on the glycerol backbone. In plant oils, unsaturated acids predominate at the sn-2 posi- tion, with more saturated acids at sn-1 and sn-3. The distribution of fatty acids at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions is often similar, although not identical. However, a random distribution between these two positions is often assumed as full stereospecific ana- lysis is a time-consuming specialist procedure. In animal fats, the type of fatty acid predominating at the sn-2 position is more variable; for example, palmitate may be selectively incorporated as well as unsaturated acids (Table 5).