Cereal Chem. 71:553-556   |  VIEW ARTICLE


Energy Value of Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Muffins Fed to Rats.

G. S. Ranhotra, J. A. Gelroth, and B. K. Glaser. Copyright 1994 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

This study was designed to determine the energy values of three commercially available medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), using young rats as the test model. These MCTs, with slightly different C-8 to C-10 fatty acid ratios, replaced shortening in a muffin formula and represented, through muffins added to the diet, 40% of total dietary energy. The increase observed in rats' carcass energy due to MCTs fed over a three- week period formed the basis of calculating energy values. Rats fed MCTs deposited significantly (P less than 0.05) less fat in their carcass than did those fed a conventional fat (baker's shortening). Primarily because of this, calculations showed that the MCTs tested had an average energy value of 6.9 plus/minus 0.4 cal/g, a value about one-fourth lower than that of conventional fats. All MCTs were slightly better digested than the baker's shortening.