The approximate chemical formula for human fat, when composed of the most common fatty acids, is C55H104O6.
Human fat, primarily stored in adipose tissue, is composed of triglycerides. Triglycerides are formed when three fatty acids are esterified to a glycerol molecule. The precise chemical formula varies depending on the specific types of fatty acids that make up the triglyceride.
According to the provided reference, the three most common fatty acids found in human adipose tissue are:
- Oleate (C18H34O2)
- Palmitate (C16H32O2)
- Linoleate (C18H32O2)
When these common fatty acids combine through esterification to glycerol to form a triglyceride, the resulting fat molecule has the chemical formula C55H104O6.
| Fatty Acid | Chemical Formula |
|---|---|
| Oleate | C18H34O2 |
| Palmitate | C16H32O2 |
| Linoleate | C18H32O2 |
| Triglyceride (formed from above acids) | C55H104O6 |
