1. Digested in the mouth
There are no enzymes that digest lipids in the mouth. The mucin of the salivary glands makes the food slippery.
2. Digestion in the stomach
The enzyme lipase breaks down lipids to produce fatty acids, glycerol and monoglycerides.
3. Digestion in the pancreatic juice of the small intestine
(i) The enzyme lipase breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.
(ii) Phospholipids are converted into fatty acids and monoglycerides in the presence of phospholipase enzymes.
4. Digestion in the intestinal juice of the small intestine
(i) The enzyme lipase breaks down triglycerides and diglycerides into fatty acids, glycerol and monoglycerides.
(ii) Fatty acids and glycerol are produced from monoglycerides under the action of monoglyceridase enzyme.
Lipids are complex biochemical substances. It is complex, insoluble and non-absorbable for the organism. It is of no benefit to the organism. Lipids are digested into fatty acids and glycerol by the action of various enzymes. Fatty acids and glycerol are simple, soluble and absorbable by the body. Our body cells absorb fatty acids and glycerol. These fatty acids and glycerol provide energy to our body.