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Linoleic acid (C18H32O2) is a colourless liquid.
The word linoleic comes from the Greek word linon (flax). Oleic means of, relating to, or derived from oil or of or relating to oleic acid.
Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and cell membranes) and in other natural oils (vegoil, specially sunflower oil).
To be fully utilised by the body, LA must be converted into GLA, a reaction catalysed by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase (D6D).
Linoleic acid is used in making soaps, emulsifiers, and quick-drying oils.
It is an Omega-6 fatty acid, with a double bond occurring at the sixth and ninth carbon atom (of a total of 18 carbon atoms) from the omega end of the molecule. It is known as unsaturated because of these double bonds.
See also: Omega-3 fatty acid.
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