Biotransformation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)
An interesting area of biotechnology research is to obtain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and utilize them either directly or for their biotransformation to other bioactive compounds. Some of the PUFAs are listed in Table.
Different polyunsaturated fatty acids and their nomenclature
Fatty Acid (PUFA) |
PUFA nomenclature |
|
m:n (w--x) |
m:naz,….nz |
|
Arachidonic Acid (AA) |
20:4 (ω-6) |
20:4 5z, 8z, 11z, 14z |
a-Linolenic acid (ALA) |
18:3 (ω-3) |
18:3 9z, 12z, 15z |
Docosahexaenoic aicd (DHA) |
22:6 (ω-3) |
22:6 4z, 7z, 10z, 13z, 16z,z19z |
Dihomo-g-linolenic acid (DHGLA) |
20:3 (ω-6) |
20:3 8z, 11z, 14z |
Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) |
22:5 (ω-3) |
22:57z, 10z, 13z, 16z, 19z |
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) |
20:5 (ω-3) |
20:55z, 8z, 11z, 14z, 17z |
Eicosatrienoic acid (ETA) |
20:3 (ω-6) |
20:35z, 11z, 14z |
Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETRA) |
20:4 (ω-3) |
20:45z, 11z, 14z, 17z |
g-Linolenic acid (GLA) |
18:3 (ω-6) |
18:36z, 9z, 12z |
Linoleic acid (LA) |
18:2 (ω-6) |
18:29z, 12z |
Note:In m:n(ω--x)and m:naz..nz, m and n refer to number of carbon atoms and the double bonds, (ω -x) refers to position, where the final double bond is located, x-carbon atoms (inclusive) away from the terminal carbon atom(ω); in the superscrips az to nz, a and n indicate the positions of double bonds (carbon atoms numbered from carboxyl end).