8 Key Difference between Animal Fats and Plant Fats (Oils) with Examples

What is the difference between animal fats and plant oils?

Lipids are described as fats, oils, and wax. The bio-macromolecules are esters of fatty acids and glycerol. The diversity of fats varies in physical, chemical, and structural.

The core difference between animal and plant fats is that animal fats are rich in saturated fatty acids while plant fats are rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Difference between Animal Fats and Plant Fats (Oils)

Animal Fats Definition

Animal fats are saturated fatty acids which tend to remain solid at room temperature. The fats are stored in the liver and beneath the skin. Examples of animal fats are butterfat and beef fat.

Plant Fats Definition

Plant fats are unsaturated fatty acids that tend to remain liquid at room temperature. The plant fats are stored in the fruits and seeds. Examples of plant fats are sunflower oil, coconut oil, and olive oil.

Comparison Table: Animal Fats Vs Plant Fats (Oils)

Basic Terms	Animal Fats	Plant Fats
Examples	Butterfat and beef fat	Coconut oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil
Saturated or unsaturated	Saturated	Unsaturated
Room temperature	Solid	Liquid
Iodine number	Relatively less	Comparatively more
Reichert meissl Number	Relatively higher	Relatively lower
Oxidative rancidity	More	Less
Storage	Liver and beneath the skin	Fruits and seeds
Specialized cells	Adipocytes	Lack of specializing cells

Core Difference between Plant and Animal Oils in Point Form

Animal fats are saturated fatty acids while plant fats are unsaturated fatty acids

Examples of animal fats are butter and beef fats while plant fats are coconut oil and olive oil

Animal fats are solid at room temperature while plant fats are liquid at room temperature

Iodine number of plant fats is higher than those of animal fats

Oxidative rancidity of animals fats is relatively high while that of plant fats is relatively less

Plant fats are stored in fruits and seeds while animal fats are stored in the liver and beneath the skin

The Reichert meissl number of animal fats is higher than that of plant fats

Animal fats are stored by specialized cells known as adipocytes which are absent in plants.

Similarities between Animal and Plant Fats (Oils)

Both are food reserved in cells

Both occur as saturated and unsaturated

Both exhibit the same physical and chemical character

Both are triglycerides

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Comparison Video: Fats vs Oils

Summary

The core difference between fats and oils is that fats are solid at room temperature while oils are liquid at room temperature. Examples of fats are beef and butter while those of oils are coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil

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