Linolenic acid is an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid.
Understanding Linolenic Acid
Linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid. This means that animals, including humans, cannot synthesize it on their own and must obtain it through their diet. As the provided reference states, linolenic acid is an important fatty acid for animal nutrition.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are crucial for various bodily functions. The 'omega-3' designation refers to the location of the first double bond from the methyl end (omega end) of the fatty acid molecule.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)
Linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid because it has multiple double bonds in its carbon chain. According to the reference, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic acid and, to a lesser extent, linoleic acid, are susceptible to oxidative instability due to these double bonds.
