Structure of Fatty Acids

Structure of Fatty Acids Diagram

Composition of Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are carboxylic acids that form straight-chain molecules.
They can be either saturated or unsaturated.
Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms in their carbon chains.
Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds within their carbon chains.
Fatty acids typically have an even number of carbon atoms in their chains, ranging from C₄ to C₂₄, with C₁₆ and C₁₈ being the most common.

Butanoic Acid
- Molecular Formula: C₃H₇COOH
- Saturation: Saturated
Stearic Acid
- Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₃₅COOH
- Saturation: Saturated
Oleic Acid
- Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₃₃COOH
- Saturation: Unsaturated
Linoleic Acid
- Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₃₁COOH
- Saturation: Unsaturated
Capric Acid (Decanoic Acid)
- Found in goat's milk
- Molecular Formula: Varies depending on the number of carbon atoms
- Saturation: Completely saturated

Fats and oils are primarily composed of triglycerides, which are esters formed by the combination of three fatty acid molecules with one molecule of glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol).
These fatty acid molecules in triglycerides can either be identical or different.

Diagram

Fats and oils consist of mixtures of triglycerides, with varying proportions of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
In hard fats like beef fat, a greater proportion of the fatty acid molecules are saturated.

Fatty acids are carboxylic acids that can be saturated or unsaturated.
Saturated fatty acids have no carbon-to-carbon double bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.
Fatty acids are essential components of triglycerides found in fats and oils, and the composition of these triglycerides varies based on the types of fatty acids present.
The proportion of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in fats and oils can impact their physical properties.