fatty acid

/ˌfædi ˌæsəd/

/ˈfæti ˈæsɪd/

Other forms: fatty acids

Definitions of fatty acid

1. noun

   any of a class of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids that form part of a lipid molecule and can be derived from fat by hydrolysis; fatty acids are simple molecules built around a series of carbon atoms linked together in a chain of 12 to 22 carbon atoms
   types:

   saturated fatty acid

   a fatty acid whose carbon chain cannot absorb any more hydrogen atoms; found chiefly in animal fats

   unsaturated fatty acid

   a fatty acid whose carbon chain can absorb additional hydrogen atoms

   trans fatty acid

   a fatty acid that has been produced by hydrogenating an unsaturated fatty acid (and so changing its shape); found in processed foods such as margarine and fried foods and puddings and commercially baked goods and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils

   monounsaturated fatty acid

   an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in olive oil and chicken and almonds

   polyunsaturated fatty acid

   an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has more than one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in fish and corn and soybean oil and safflower oil

   heptadecanoic acid, margaric acid

   a colorless crystalline synthetic fatty acid

   ricinoleic acid

   an oily fatty acid found in castor oil and used in soap

   butanoic acid, butyric acid

   an unpleasant smelling fatty acid found especially in butter

   capric acid, decanoic acid

   a fatty acid found in animal oils and fats; has an unpleasant smell resembling goats

   caproic acid, hexanoic acid

   a fatty acid found in animal oils and fats or made synthetically; smells like goats

   caprylic acid

   a fatty acid having a rancid taste; found in butter and other fats and oils

   elaidic acid

   a monounsaturated fatty acid that has the same structure as oleic acid except that it is a trans fatty acid; the major trans fatty acid in margarine and fried foods

   elaeostearic acid, eleostearic acid

   a crystalline unsaturated fatty acid

   dodecanoic acid, lauric acid

   a crystalline fatty acid occurring as glycerides in natural fats and oils (especially coconut oil and palm-kernel oil)

   myristic acid, tetradecanoic acid

   a saturated fatty acid occurring naturally in animal and vegetable fats

   hexadecanoic acid, palmitic acid

   a saturated fatty acid that is the major fat in meat and dairy products

   octadecanoic acid, stearic acid

   a waxy saturated fatty acid; occurs widely as a glyceride in animal and vegetable fats

   type of:

   carboxylic acid

   an organic acid characterized by one or more carboxyl groups