FATTY ACID

OLEIC ACID

Oleic acid is a naturally occurring monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that is widely distributed in vegetable fats and oils. It is a major component of olive oil and is renowned for its health benefits.

 Chemical Structure and Properties

• Classification: It is an omega-9 fatty acid, meaning the single double bond in its chain is located at the ninth carbon atom from the methyl (ω) end.
• Formula: Its chemical formula is C18​H34​O2​.
• Structure: It is an 18-carbon chain with a cis double bond (the cis configuration is the natural form) between the 9th and 10th carbon atoms. It is also known as cis-9-Octadecenoic acid.
• Appearance: At room temperature, it is typically a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid.
• Nature: In biological systems, it primarily exists as an ester of glycerol in triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids (cell membranes), and cholesteryl esters.

APPLICATION

• Cosmetics & Skincare: Used as an emollient (softens and moisturizes the skin) and an emulsifier. It enhances the penetration of other ingredients.
• Pharmaceuticals: Used as an excipient (an inactive substance that serves as the vehicle for the drug) to help dissolve or deliver certain medications.
• Soaps & Detergents: A key component in soap manufacturing (its salts are called oleates).
• Other: Used in lubricants, textiles, and in the production of other chemical substances.

LINOLEIC ACID

Linoleic acid is an essential polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid

Linoleic acid (LA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 essential fatty acid (EFA). It’s an indispensable nutrient because the human body cannot synthesize it and must obtain it through the diet.

Chemical Structure & Properties

• Formula: $text{C}_{18}text{H}_{32}text{O}_2$.
• Structure: It is an 18-carbon chain with two double bonds (making it polyunsaturated). The double bonds are in the cis configuration, located at the 9th and 12th carbon atoms from the carboxyl end, or the 6th carbon from the methyl ($omega$) end, which is why it’s classified as an omega-6 fatty acid.
• Physical Appearance: Pure linoleic acid is a colorless or pale straw-colored oily liquid at room temperature.
• Metabolism: LA is the precursor to other omega-6 fatty acids, most notably arachidonic acid (AA), which in turn is a precursor for eicosanoids (hormone-like signaling molecules involved in inflammation and immune function)

Applications

Its chemical properties make it useful outside of nutrition:

• Paints and Coatings: It’s a key component in quick-drying oils used in varnishes and oil paints, exploiting its tendency to react with oxygen (autoxidation) to form a stable film.
• Cosmetics: Used as an emollient and in formulations aimed at acne reduction and moisturizing.
• Soaps: Used in the production of soft soaps.

UNSATURATED FATTY ACID

An unsaturated fatty acid is a type of fat molecule that contains at An unsaturated fatty acid is a type of fatty acid that contains at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond (C=C) within its hydrocarbon chain. The presence of this double bond means the molecule is not fully saturated with hydrogen atoms, which is how it gets its name.

In contrast, saturated fatty acids have only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Chemical Characteristics

• Double Bonds: The defining feature is the presence of one or more C=C bonds.
  • The double bond creates a “kink” or bend in the hydrocarbon chain (in the most common cis configuration).
  • This kink prevents the molecules from packing tightly together, resulting in a lower melting point.
• Physical State: Due to their lower melting points, most unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature (e.g., olive oil, vegetable oils).
• Configurations: Unsaturated fatty acids can exist in two geometric forms around the double bond:
  • cis: The two hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the double bond. This is the most common form in nature and creates the beneficial bend in the molecule.
  • trans: The two hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond. This form, often produced artificially through hydrogenation, is relatively straight like a saturated fat and is generally considered detrimental to health.

Types and Sources

Unsaturated fatty acids are categorized based on the number of double bonds they contain:

1. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs)

• Contain one double bond in the chain.
• Examples: Oleic acid (omega-9).
• Sources: High concentrations are found in olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, avocados, almonds, and pecans.

2. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

• Contain two or more double bonds in the chain.
• Examples: Linoleic acid (omega-6) and Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (omega-3).

SUNFLOWER OIL FATTY ACID

Sunflower oil’s fatty acid composition depends significantly on the **type of sunflower Sunflower oil is primarily composed of two main unsaturated fatty acids: Linoleic Acid (a polyunsaturated omega-6) and Oleic Acid (a monounsaturated omega-9).

The fatty acid composition of sunflower oil is highly variable because there are several distinct types produced from specifically bred sunflower seeds.

 Types of Sunflower Oil and Their Fatty Acid Profiles

 Major Fatty Acid Components

• Cooler Climates: Tend to produce oil with higher Linoleic Acid content.
• Warmer Climates: Tend to produce oil with higher Oleic Acid content.