In the reference method described, what is the substrate used?

In the reference method described, what is the substrate used?

• A. Triolein
• B. Olive oil
• C. Glycerol
• D. Fatty acid

Answer: (A)

In this reference method, the substrate is the compound the enzyme acts upon to produce measurable products, so it must be a well-defined triglyceride for consistent results. Triolein is used because it is a single, defined triglyceride (glycerol esterified with three oleic acid molecules), providing a stable and standardized substrate. Olive oil, while containing triglycerides, is a mixture with variable composition and isn’t ideal for standardization. Glycerol and fatty acids are the hydrolysis products, not the starting substrate. Therefore, triolein is the substrate chosen.

In this reference method, the substrate is the compound the enzyme acts upon to produce measurable products, so it must be a well-defined triglyceride for consistent results. Triolein is used because it is a single, defined triglyceride (glycerol esterified with three oleic acid molecules), providing a stable and standardized substrate. Olive oil, while containing triglycerides, is a mixture with variable composition and isn’t ideal for standardization. Glycerol and fatty acids are the hydrolysis products, not the starting substrate. Therefore, triolein is the substrate chosen.