fatty acid

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of aliphatic acids, especially palmitic, stearic, or oleic acid, consisting of a long hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxyl group that bonds to glycerol to form a fat.

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fatty acid British  

noun

1. any of a class of aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, that form part of a lipid molecule

2. another name for carboxylic acid, used esp of a naturally occurring one

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fatty acid Scientific  

/ făt′ē /

1. Any of a large group of organic acids, especially those found in animal and vegetable fats and oils. Fatty acids are mainly composed of long chains of hydrocarbons ending in a carboxyl group. A fatty acid is saturated when the bonds between carbon atoms are all single bonds. It is unsaturated when any of these bonds is a double bond.

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Etymology

Origin of fatty acid

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The menu, which follows a recent surge in demand for protein and other macronutrients, includes options with extra iron, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

From Los Angeles Times

The supplement contained the natural omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

From Science Daily

"Some forms of omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in salmon, may be especially good sources for supplying choline to the brain."

From Science Daily

Researchers identified specific oxylipins created from linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, another fatty acid found in soybean oil.

From Science Daily

"It's very high in antioxidants, in fibres and unsaturated fatty acids, and in different minerals that make it very popular among people who do sports," he says.

From BBC