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AAT Bioquest

What are the differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Posted November 3, 2022


Answer

Saturated fatty acids are the simplest form of fats. The term saturated indicates that each carbon atom in a fat molecule is bonded with the maximum number of hydrogen atoms. Unsaturated fatty acids are more complex. The term unsaturated indicates that the carbon atoms do not have the maximum number of hydrogen bound to them. Here’s a more detailed look at the differences between saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids. 

Basis of differentiationSaturated fatty acidsUnsaturated fatty acids
DefinitionAre the simplest form of fats - are unbranched linear chains of CH2 with only single bonds between carbon atoms and no unsaturated linkages indicating an inability to absorb any more hydrogen atomsAre more complex fatty acids in which the bent hydrocarbon chains are linked together by one or more carbon-carbon double bonds indicating the potential to absorb additional hydrogen atoms 
Characteristic of bondsHave only a single bond, lack carbon-carbon double bondsMay have one or more carbon-carbon double bonds
ConfigurationTrans and cis configuration are not possibleMay exist in cis or trans configuration
Hydrogen atomsCarbon atoms have the maximum possible hydrogen atoms bound to themDo not have maximum possible hydrogen atoms bound to the carbon atoms
Characteristic of hydrocarbon chainHydrocarbon chains are linear and unbranchedHydrocarbon chains are bent and branched
Potential for hydrogenationHydrogenation is not possible as the maximum number of hydrogen atoms are bound to the carbon molecule and no more hydrogen atoms can be added to the hydrocarbon chainHydrogenation is possible because the carbons atoms do not have the maximum possible hydrogen atoms bound to them – hydrogenation converts unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids
CompositionMake up the fat part of lipidsMake up the oil part of lipids
SourcesTypically found in animal fats such as whole milk, butter, and meatTypically found in plant sources such as olive oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, and mustard oil
StorageStored under the skin and in the liver in mammalsStored in the form of fat granules in the seeds and fruits of plants
State at room temperatureExist in the solid state at room temperature Exist in the liquid state at room temperature
Melting pointHigher melting pointLower melting point
Shelf lifeLonger shelf life – can be stored for longer periods of time without getting rancid or spoilingShorter shelf life – will get rancid and spoil when stored for long periods
Solubility in vitaminsSoluble in vitaminsInsoluble in vitamins
Common ExamplesPalmitic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, arachidic acid, and myristic acidOleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, and arachidonic acid
Additional resources

Long chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids exert opposing effects on viability and function of GLP-1-producing cells: Mechanisms of lipotoxicity

Screen Quest™ Fluorimetric Fatty Acid Uptake Assay Kit

Amplite® Fluorimetric Coenzyme A Quantitation Kit *Green Fluorescence*