unsaturated fatty acids
Last reviewed 03/2021
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