Fatty Acids

Fatty acids have a long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl (acid) group

Typical for of fatty acids : CH3 –(CH2)n –COOH

12<n<20

Saturated- Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Hydrophobic- Hydrophilic Groups

The hydrocarbon tail is extremely hydrophobic and so is insoluble in water. In contrast, the carboxylic acid group is extremely hydrophilic.

Common Fatty Acids

Common name

Chemical structure

Myristoleic acid CH3(CH2)3CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

Palmitoleic acid CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

Oleic acid CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

Linoleic acid CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

α-Linolenic acid CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

Arachidonic acid CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)3COOH

Eicosapentaenoic acid

CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)3COOH

Erucic acid CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)11COOH

Docosahexaenoic acid

CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)2COOH

Common Fatty Acids

Fats

FAT consists of three-

carbon backbone called

glycerol attached to three

fatty acids, which contain

long hydrocarbon chains .

Ester Bond Formation

Phosphoglycerids

Phospholglycerides are

esters of only two fatty

acids, phosphoric acid

and a trifunctional alcohol

- glycerol (IUPAC name is

1,2,3-propantriol). The

fatty acids are attached to

the glycerol at the 1 and 2

positions on glycerol

through ester bonds.

Phospholipids

Phospholipids have a

structure like a

triglyceride,but contain a

phosphate group in place

of the third fatty acid.

The phosphate group is

polar and therefore

capable of interacting with

water molecules.

STEROIDSSteroids have a backbone of 4 carbon rings.

Cholesterol is the precursor of several other steroids, including several hormones.  

It is also an important component of cell membranes.

REFERENCES

Michael L. Shuler and Fikret Kargı, Bioprocess Engineering: Basic Concepts (2 nd Edition),Prentice Hall, New York, 2002.

1. James E. Bailey and David F. Ollis, Biochemical Engineering Fundementals (2 nd Edition), McGraw-Hill, New York, 1986.

hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu

www.chemistryland.com

virtuallaboratory.net

http://www.ific.org/publications/reviews/images/irfatschart_2.gif

io.uwinnipeg.ca

bioweb.wku.edu

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objid=AP13204