In order to promote the further development and rational utilization of medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) and other related functional structure lipids, with MCFA and its glycerides as research objects, their sources, nutritional properties, preparation methods and application status were reviewed. MCFA is mainly derived from milk fat of breast milk, cow milk and goat milk and some specific vegetable oils, which has the functions of providing energy quickly, inhibiting the accumulation of body fat, improving the structure of intestinal flora, regulating glycometabolism and inhibiting inflammation,etc. Its preparation methods mainly include alcoholysis, esterification, transesterification and biosynthesis, etc. It has been applied in food and health care products, animal feed, pharmaceutical and chemical industry, and has broad market prospects. |