Fatty acids are made from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Fatty acids are constructed from the chemical elements carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Fatty acids can be divided into a carboxylic acid head groupâhence fatty acidâlinked to a long chain of carbon atoms. The bond between the carbon atoms stores a large amount of biochemical energy and is very stable, allowing fats to be an efficient long-term store of energy in your body.
Healthy Eating. Shortening is a solid fat that is derived either from plant or animal sources. Shortening derived from animals comes from lard, while those derived from plants undergo a process known as hydrogenation that changes the chemical composition and allows a normally liquid oil to remain a solid.
Shortening is any type of solid fat used to prevent the formation of a gluten matrix in baked goods. Lard, hydrogenated (solidified) oils, and even butter can be used as shortening, although in the mainstream market shortening often refers solely to hydrogenated oils.hortening refers to the process of a fat interfering with the formation of a gluten matrix in dough. This process is important for many baked goods, such as pie crusts, because gluten creates a gummy or chewy end product.