Stearidonic acid (SDA:
C18 H28 O2; 18:
4, n-3) is an
ω-3 fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. It is
biosynthesized
Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme- catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecu ...
from
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA: C
18H
30O
2; 18:3, n-3) by the enzyme
delta-6-desaturase, that removes two hydrogen (H) atoms from a fatty acid, creating a carbon/carbon double bonding, via an oxygen requiring
unsaturation. SDA also act as precursor for the rapid synthesis of longer chain fatty acids, called
''N''-acylethanolamine (NAEs), involved in many important biological processes. Natural sources of this
fatty acid
In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, ...
are the seed oils of
hemp,
blackcurrant,
corn gromwell, and ''
Echium plantagineum
''Echium plantagineum'', commonly known as purple viper's-bugloss or Patterson's curse, is a species of the genus '' Echium'' native to western and southern Europe (from southern England south to Iberia and east to the Crimea), northern Afr ...
'', and the
cyanobacterium ''Spirulina''. SDA can also be synthesized in a lab. A GMO soybean source is approved by the
European Food Safety Authority.
See also
*
List of omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids, also called ω−3 fatty acids or ''n''−3 fatty acids, are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Omega−3 fatty acids are important for normal metabolism.
Mammals are unable to synthesize omega−3 fatty acids, but can obt ...
*
Omega-3 fatty acids
*
Essential fatty acids
References
Fatty acids
Alkenoic acids
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