linolenic acid

chemistry

Also known as: cis-9, cis-12, cis-15-octadecadienoic acid

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Linolenic acid is a liquid, unsaturated fatty acid with the chemical formula C₁₈H₃₀O₂. It is found in drying oils, such as linseed oil, and is essential for the nutrition of some animals.1

Unsaturated fatty acids, like linolenic acid, contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds. These double bonds mean they have fewer hydrogen atoms bonded to each carbon compared to saturated fatty acids. Linolenic acid is one of the naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids that the human body cannot synthesize and must obtain from the diet, classifying it as an essential fatty acid.23

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

fat
Functions in plants and animals
…acids—omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-3 linolenic acid. These fatty acids are described as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body and therefore must be supplied in the diet since. Moreover, without them, physical symptoms of essential-fatty-acid deficiency manifest, typically in the form of skin lesions, scaliness, poor hair…
Read More
…acids—omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-3 linolenic acid. These fatty acids are described as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body and therefore must be supplied in the diet since. Moreover, without them, physical symptoms of essential-fatty-acid deficiency manifest, typically in the form of skin lesions, scaliness, poor hair…
Read More

fatty acid
Essential fatty acids
Many animals cannot synthesize linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). Those fatty acids are required, however, for cellular processes and the production of other necessary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Thus, because they must be taken in through the diet, they are…
Read More
Many animals cannot synthesize linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). Those fatty acids are required, however, for cellular processes and the production of other necessary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Thus, because they must be taken in through the diet, they are…
Read More

trans fat
Trans-fat alternatives
Oils that are low in linolenic acid, a compound that reduces the stability of oils, are the most widely used trans-fat alternatives; they are thermally stable and thus are suitable for deep-frying, and they are not associated with the production of off-flavours. Plants used to generate low-linolenic-acid oils include soybeans…
Read More
Oils that are low in linolenic acid, a compound that reduces the stability of oils, are the most widely used trans-fat alternatives; they are thermally stable and thus are suitable for deep-frying, and they are not associated with the production of off-flavours. Plants used to generate low-linolenic-acid oils include soybeans…
Read More