Table 1. The main fatty acids in the diet.
Customary name | Number of carbon atoms and double bonds | Molecular formula |
oleid acid | 18:1 | CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH |
palmitic acid | 16:0 | CH3(CH2)14COOH |
stearic acid | 18:0 | CH3(CH2)16COOH |
linoleic acid | 18:2 | CH3(CH2)4(CH=CHCH2)2(CH2)6COOH |
palmitoleic acid | 16:1 | CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)7COOH |
myristic acid | 14:0 | CH3(CH2)12COOH |
α-linolenic acid | 18:3 | CH3CH2(CH=CHCH2)3(CH2)6COOH |
arachidonic acid | 20:4 | CH3(CH2)4(CH=CHCH2)4(CH2)4COOH |