linoleic acid

American  

Also linolic acid

noun

Chemistry.

1. an unsaturated fatty acid, C 18 H 32 O 2 , occurring as a glyceride in drying oils, as in linseed oil.

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linoleic acid British  

/ ˌlɪnəʊˈliːɪk /

noun

1. a colourless oily essential fatty acid found in many natural oils, such as linseed: used in the manufacture of soaps, emulsifiers, and driers. Formula: C 18 H 32 O 2

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linoleic acid Scientific  

/ lĭn′ə-lē′ĭk /

1. An unsaturated fatty acid that has two double bonds and is a nutrient essential for prostaglandin production in the human body. It is an important component of many vegetable oils, such as linseed, soybean, peanut, corn, and safflower oil, and is also found in meat and dairy products. Chemical formula: C ₁₈ H ₃₂ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of linoleic acid

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Too much linoleic acid can result in elevated oxylipin levels, which are tied to inflammation and fat buildup.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2025

Finally, milk contains conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in meat and dairy products, which, according to a 2021 labratory study, could also have anti-cancer properties.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2025

My scared-straight moment: A 2022 study at Wake Forest University showed that Alzheimer’s patients had linoleic acid blood levels that were 56 percent higher than people without cognitive impairment.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2024

A 2019 analysis of 30 observational studies from 13 countries involving 68,659 people found that high levels of linoleic acid were associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2023

The stream of hydrogen blown through the hot oil converts the linoleic acid to oleic and then the oleic into stearic.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.