OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
1) Structure Figure 1.1 The omega-3 fatty acids are also known as ω-3 fatty acids or n-3 fatty acids which contain a long chain of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the chain ranges from 18 to 22 carbon atoms (Collins J.J., 2010). The fatty acids have two ends; the carboxylic acid end (-COOH) and the methyl end (-CH3). The carboxylic acid end is considered the starting of chain which is “alpha” and methyl chain is considered as the tail of the long chain which is “omega”. Thus, the fatty acid named from the methyl end in which the double bond is located at the third carbon (red region in Figure 1.1): thus the name is omega-3 fatty acids.
2) Examples
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are :-
• α-linolenic acid (ALA) (found in plant oils)
• eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
3) Nomenclature
Omega-3 fatty acid, ω-3 fatty acid, and n-3 fatty acid are all different ways of writing the same fatty …show more content…
Thus, the fatty acid named from the methyl end in which the double bond is located at the ninth carbon (in Figure 1.3): thus the name is omega-9 fatty acids.
2) Examples
There is one example of Omege-9 fatty acid which is oleic acid. Oleic acid is used in the production of canola oil, olive oil and sunflower oil.
3) Nomenclature
The explanation for omega system and delta system are the same as I explained earlier. Now the location of carbon double bond is different but the rest are same.
•Example of writing using Figure 1.3 for omega nomenclature -Total carbon atoms: 18 - Number of double bonds: 1 - Number of first carbon in the double bond closest to methyl end:
1) Structure Figure 1.1 The omega-3 fatty acids are also known as ω-3 fatty acids or n-3 fatty acids which contain a long chain of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the chain ranges from 18 to 22 carbon atoms (Collins J.J., 2010). The fatty acids have two ends; the carboxylic acid end (-COOH) and the methyl end (-CH3). The carboxylic acid end is considered the starting of chain which is “alpha” and methyl chain is considered as the tail of the long chain which is “omega”. Thus, the fatty acid named from the methyl end in which the double bond is located at the third carbon (red region in Figure 1.1): thus the name is omega-3 fatty acids.
2) Examples
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are :-
• α-linolenic acid (ALA) (found in plant oils)
• eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
3) Nomenclature
Omega-3 fatty acid, ω-3 fatty acid, and n-3 fatty acid are all different ways of writing the same fatty …show more content…
Thus, the fatty acid named from the methyl end in which the double bond is located at the ninth carbon (in Figure 1.3): thus the name is omega-9 fatty acids.
2) Examples
There is one example of Omege-9 fatty acid which is oleic acid. Oleic acid is used in the production of canola oil, olive oil and sunflower oil.
3) Nomenclature
The explanation for omega system and delta system are the same as I explained earlier. Now the location of carbon double bond is different but the rest are same.
•Example of writing using Figure 1.3 for omega nomenclature -Total carbon atoms: 18 - Number of double bonds: 1 - Number of first carbon in the double bond closest to methyl end: