Introduction to Chemistry of Lipids

2.1. Fatty acid

FATTY ACIDS

Fatty acids are building block of most lipids, made of long chain organic acids having one polar carboxyl group (head) and a non-polar hydrocarbon chain (tail). 

These are aliphatic carboxylic acids containing long hydrocarbon chains ranging from C-4 to C-24.

Based on the bonds that exist within the hydrocarbon chains, fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated. 

• Saturated fatty acid is a long-chain carboxylic acid containing only C-C single bonds. 

• Unsaturated fatty acid is a long-chain carboxylic acid containing one or more C-C double bonds

 • Unsaturated fatty acids occur mostly in cis form e.g oleic acid rather than trans form e.g elaidic acid.