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fatty acid
fatty acid
fatty acid An organic compound consisting of a hydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxyl group (see
carboxylic acids). Chain length ranges from one hydrogen atom (methanoic, or formic, acid, HCOOH) to nearly 30 carbon atoms. Ethanoic (acetic), propanoic (propionic), and butanoic (butyric) acids are important in metabolism. Long-chain fatty acids (more than 8–10 carbon atoms) most commonly occur as constituents of certain lipids, notably glycerides, phospholipids, sterols, and waxes, in which they are esterified with alcohols. These long-chain fatty acids generally have an even number of carbon atoms; unbranched chains predominate over branched chains. They may be
saturated (e.g.
palmitic acid and
stearic acid) or
unsaturated, with one double bond (e.g.
oleic acid) or two or more double bonds, in which case they are called
polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g.
linoleic acid and
linolenic acid). See also
essential fatty acids.
The physical properties of fatty acids are determined by chain length, degree of unsaturation, and chain branching. Short-chain acids are pungent liquids, soluble in water. As chain length increases, melting points are raised and water-solubility decreases. Unsaturation and chain branching tend to lower melting points.
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Fatty acids: the dangerous and the not so dangerous.
Magazine article from: Medical Laboratory Observer; 11/1/1997; ; 700+ words
; Understanding fatty acids and fatty-acid-containing lipids sheds light...triglyceride consists of its three fatty acids. Fatty acids are therefore the major dietary...nomenclature of fatty acids and fatty-acid-containing lipids to acquaint...
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FATTY ACIDS IN FOODS AND THEIR HEALTH IMPLICATIONS, 2nd Edition.(Brief Article)(Review)
Magazine article from: Food Trade Review; 2/1/2000; 700+ words
; ...Positional Isomers of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Humans; Safety and Health Effects of Isomeric Fatty Acids; Biological Effects of Oxidised Fatty...Acids and Renal Disease; Dietary Fatty Acids and Fatty Acid Metabolism in Diabetes; Fatty ...
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Fatty Acids Makers Deal with Thin Margins.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Magazine article from: Chemical Week; 8/22/2001; ; 700+ words
; ...develop specialty and high purity fatty acids used in the production of pharmaceuticals...melt adhesives. Specialty fatty acids sales are expected to grow 12...says Sterckx. Standard fatty acids including stearic acid and lauric acids, are expected...
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Trans Fatty Acids in Human Milk in Canada Declined with the Introduction of Trans Fat Food Labeling1
Magazine article from: The Journal of Nutrition; 10/1/2006; ; 700+ words
; ...Our studies show trans fatty acids have decreased...decrease in trans fatty acid intake among lactating...effects of trans fatty acids has centered largely...6), and (n-3) fatty acid composition of the maternal...specifically alter trans fatty acid intake ...
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(n-3) Fatty Acids and Cancer Therapy1
Magazine article from: The Journal of Nutrition; 12/1/2004; ; 700+ words
; ...to the different types of fatty acids. The bonds between all carbons in saturated fatty acids are fully saturated with...bonds. Monounsaturated fatty acids and PUFA have bonds that...bond in an (n-6) fatty acid is 6 carbons from the n end...
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Fatty Acid Regulation of Gene Transcription
Magazine article from: Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences; 1/1/2004; ; 700+ words
; ...differentiation. Fatty acid effects on gene expression...influenced by fatty acid structure and metabolism. Fatty acids interact with the...molecular basis of fatty acid effects on complex...human health. Fatty acids affect many structural...
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Fatty Acid Distribution in the Seed Flour of Wild Vicia Species from Southern Spain
Magazine article from: JAOCS, Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society; 10/1/2009; ; 700+ words
; Abstract The fatty acid distribution in the seed flour from...analyzed by gas chromatography. Fatty acids ranged from myristic acid to araquidic acid. Linoleic acid (from 28.7 to 66.3% of the fatty acids), oleic acid (from 7.2 to 32...
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Fatty Acid Desaturation and the Regulation of Adiposity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Magazine article from: Genetics; 6/1/2007; ; 700+ words
; ABSTRACT Monounsaturated fatty acids are essential components of membrane...conversion of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids by Δ9 desaturases. Caenorhabditis...display a range of altered fatty acid compositions by constructing double...
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Fatty acid composition and utilization in developing eggs of some marine nudibranchs (mollusca: gastropoda: opistobranchia) from southwest Spain.
Magazine article from: Journal of Shellfish Research; 12/1/2005; ; 700+ words
; ABSTRACT The fatty acid composition of whole...polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic...et al. 1999). This fatty acid, together with...2000). Tissue fatty acid composition can be considered...The essential ...
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Trans polyunsaturated fatty acids have more adverse effects than saturated fatty acids on the concentration and composition of lipoproteins secreted by human hepatoma...
Magazine article from: The Journal of Nutrition; 9/1/2002; ; 700+ words
; ...were 1.61, 0.40 and 0.77 with linoleic acid, linolelaidic acid and palmitic acid, respectively. These results suggest that relative to cis polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, trans PUFA more adversely affect the concentration...
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.
...However, alphalinolenic acid (ALA), which is another kind of omega-3 fatty acid, is found in dark green...kinds of omega-3 fatty acids easily utilized by the...omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is now estimated to be...lot of omega-6 fatty acid simply by eating ...
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Fatty Acids
Encyclopedia entry from: The Gale Encyclopedia of Science
Fatty Acids A fatty acid is a combination of a...consisting of saturated fatty acids are solid, and...An unsaturated fatty acid may be converted into...the reduction of fatty acids (fats), it is important...butyric, and palmitic acid, are important ...
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Fats and Fatty Acids
Book article from: Chemistry: Foundations and Applications
...acid (a four-carbon acid). (Rancidity can...oils.) Unsaturated Fatty Acids There are about forty...2 COOH Arachidonic acid Liver 22 CH 3 (CH 2 ) 20 COOH Beheric acid Sesame oil Common Unsaturated Fatty Acids Number of Carbon Atoms...
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fatty acids
Book article from: A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition
...hydrogenation, forming saturated fatty acids. Fatty acids with only...one in fats and oils. Fatty acids with two or more double bonds are polyunsaturated fatty acids, often abbreviated to pufa. Unsaturated fatty acids lower levels of ...
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Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Omega-6 fatty acids Description Omega-6 fatty acids are one of two groups of essential fatty acids (EFAs) that are required...is the omega-3 fatty acid group.) Omega-6 fatty...sources of omega-6 fatty acids (although in smaller...breast milk. Linoleic ...
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