linolenic acid
/ˌlɪnə(ʊ)ˈlɛnɪk
/ /-ˈliːnɪk/noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A polyunsaturated fatty acid (with one more double bond than linoleic acid) present as a glyceride in linseed and other oils and essential in the human diet.
- Chemical formula: C17H29COOH; several isomers, notably gamma-linolenic acid, present in evening primrose oil.
- Linoleic and linolenic acid are essential fatty acids that are needed to make critical compounds in the body.
- Since plants are capable of synthesizing linoleic and linolenic acid humans can acquire these fats by consuming a variety of plants or else by eating the meat of animals that have consumed these plant fats.
Origin
Late 19th century: from German Linolensaüre, from Linolsaüre 'linoleic acid', with the insertion of -en- (from -ene).