Linolenic acid
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Not to be confused with linoleic acid or lipoic acid.
Linolenic acid is a type of fatty acid.
Linolenic acid can refer to either of two octadecatrienoic acids, or a mixture of the two. Linolenate (in the form of esters of linolenic acid) is often found in vegetable oils; traditionally, such fatty acylates are reported as the fatty acids:
- α-Linolenic acid, an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid
- γ-Linolenic acid, an omega-6 (n-6) fatty acid
Chemically, linolenic acids are carboxylic acids with 18-carbon chains and three cis double bonds.
See also [edit]
- Linoleic acid, a similarly named fatty acid
