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6.3.2.1 Saturated Fatty acids
A saturated fatty acid is a fatty acid with a carbon chain in which all carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds. The structural formula for a fatty acid is CnH2nO2. Fatty acids occur in two series, i.e., the even-numbered and the odd-numbered series. even-numbered e.g-SFA- 16-carbon fatty acid Palmitic acid CH3 (CH2)14 COOH . Odd-numbered
Many different kinds of saturated fatty acids have been isolated from the lipids of various compounds. Fatty acids with 16 and 18 carbons are the most abundant. Some important saturated fatty acids found in naturally occurring lipids are listed below.
List of naturally occurring saturated fatty acids
No. of Carbon Atoms Common Name/Systematic name Structure Occurrence 2 Acetic acid CH3COOH A major end product of carbohydrate fermentation by rumen organisms 3 Propionic acid CH3CH2COOH An end product of carbohydrate fermentation by rumen organisms 4 Butyric acid CH3 (CH2)2COOH In certain fats, in small amounts in milk (especially butter). An end product of carbohydrate fermentation by rumen organisms. 5 Valeric acid CH3 (CH2)3 COOH 6 Caproic acid/ Hexanoic CH3 (CH2)4 COOH
8 Caprylic (Octanoic) CH3 (CH2)6 COOH 10 Capric acid/ Decanoic CH3 (CH2)8 COOH Major components of millets and seed triglycerides 12 Lauric acid/ Dodecanoic CH3 (CH2)10 COOH Spermaceti, cinnamon, palm kernel, coconut oils, laurels, butter 14 Myristic acid/ Tetradecanoic CH3 (CH2)12 COOH Nutmeg, palm kernel, coconut oils, butter 16 Palmitic acid/ Hexadecanoic CH3 (CH2)14 COOH Common in all animal and plant fats 18 Stearic acid/ Octadecanoic CH3 (CH2)16 COOH Ground nut (arachis)oil 20 Arachidic acid / CH3 (CH2)18 COOH 22 Behenic acid CH3 (CH2)20 COOH Seed waxes 24 Lignoceric CH3 (CH2)22 COOH Cerebrosides, peanut oil and plant waxes Structural formula of common saturated fatty acids Palmitic acid (C16) CH3- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- COOH
Stearic acid (C18) CH3- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- CH2- COOH The saturated fatty acids from C12 to C24 are solids at ambient temperature having a waxy consistency. |
Last modified: Saturday, 12 November 2011, 5:20 AM