Table 3.
The most physiologically important (common) polyunsaturated fatty acids.
| The Notation of Fatty Acid (Number of Carbon Atoms: Number π Bonds) | Trivial Name | Systematic Name (IUPAC) | Chemical Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dienoic Acids | |||
| 18:2 (ω-6) | Linoleic | 9,12-octadecadienoic | CH3–(CH2)4–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)7–COOH |
| 20:2 (ω-6) | Eicosadienoic | 11,14-eicosadienoic | CH3–(CH2)4–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)9–COOH |
| Trienoic Acids | |||
| 18:3 (ω-3) | α-linolenic | 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic | CH3–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)7–COOH |
| 18:3(ω-6) | γ-linolenic | 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic | CH3–(CH2)4–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)4–COOH |
| 20:3 (ω-6) | Eicosatrienoic | Eicosatrienoic-5,8,11 | CH3–(CH2)7–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)3–COOH |
| Tetraenoic Acids | |||
| 20:4 (ω-6) | Arachidonic | 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic | CH3–(CH2)4–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)3–COOH |
| Pentaenoic Acids | |||
| 20:5 (ω-3) | Timnodonic | Eicosapentaenoic-5,8,11,14,17 | CH3–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)3–COOH |
| 22:5 (ω-3) | Clupanodonic | 7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic | CH3–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)5–COOH |
| Hexaenoic Acids | |||
| 22:6 (ω-3) | Cervonic | Docosahexaenoic-4,7,10,13,16,19 | CH3–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)2–COOH |