English

Noun

fatty acid ‎(plural fatty acids)

1. (chemistry) Any of a class of aliphatic carboxylic acids, of general formula C_nH_2n+1COOH, that occur combined with glycerol as animal or vegetable oils and fats. Only those with an even number of carbon atoms are normally found in natural fats.
   • Note: The above general formula applies to the saturated fatty acids. Remove 2 hydrogen atoms for an unsaturated fatty acid, and 2 hydrogen atoms for every double bond in a polyunsaturated fatty acid.

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• See also Wikisaurus:fatty acid

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