What are “cis” and “trans” fatty acids?
Cis and trans describe the typical configurations of hydrogen atoms or groups attached to the carbon atoms involved in a double bond. In the cis configuration they are located on the same side of the plane containing the carbon- to- carbon double bond. During the hydrogenation process, a hydrogen atom may move to the opposite side of the plane containing the double bond. This new configuration is referred to as trans. Though most naturally occurring fatty acids are cis, small quantities of trans fatty acids do occur naturally in ruminant fats and dairy products. Hydrogenated oils are the majorsource of trans fatty acids.
