The average shape of the amphiphilic 2-monoglycerides and fatty acids produced during lipid digestion dictates the resulting lipid structures (phases) that form.
Each phase has a characteristic X-ray scattering (diffraction) pattern shown beneath their associated phases above. In some of the examples shown, the scattering patterns overlap with the diffraction from calcium soaps formed by binding of calcium in the medium by fatty acids produced during digestion and the broad peaks associated with the calcium soaps are labelled ‘L'. The numbers above each peak indicate the characteristic ratios in peak position that are used to identify the respective phases. Note that there are additional V2 and I2 packing structures with different space groups and for a more complete list of characteristic scattering patterns the reader is referred to [6]. Adapted from [7] with permission, future requests for reproduction should be made to Elsevier (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268005X20311759).