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Unsaturated fatty acids

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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The degree of saturation of fatty acids describes the number of carbon to carbon double bonds within their structure. The greater the degree of saturation of a fatty acid, the greater its rigidity.

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds. They include:

  • lauric acid - 12 carbon atoms
  • myristic acid - 14 carbon atoms
  • palmitic acid - 16 carbon atoms
  • stearic acid - 18 carbon atoms

Unsaturated fatty acids include:

  • oleic acid - monounsaturated
  • linoleic acid - polyunsaturated

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