ABSTRACT
Essential fatty acids are important components of the human diet and always play a significant role in the maintenance of human health. It is important to study the chemistry of the essential fatty acids, including their chemical structures. The term “essential fatty acid” always denotes polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The position of double bonds in both types of essential fatty acid confirms their nomenclature. Based upon the biological activity and biosynthetic origin, the omega system is useful to bring together the fatty acids in a group, since several enzymes distinguish fatty acids from the free methyl end of the molecule after it is esterified to glycerol. In addition, the natural configuration or pattern of double bonds in an essential fatty acid is the cis configuration, in which carbons of the aliphatic chain lengthen on the same side as the double bonds, while the trans form of essential fatty acids consists of carbon atoms on the opposite sides. This chapter emphasizes the nomenclature and chemical structure of essential fatty acids, and their chemical structures are described in detail.
