Keyword : saturated, unsaturated, fatty acid

Saturated fatty acids are those which have only single carbon-to-carbon bonds ( C-C ). These fatty acids are very stable. Examples of saturated fatty acids are palmitic acid, C16:0 and stearic acid, C18:0. Unsaturated fatty acids contain carbon-to-carbon double bonds ( C=C ). When only one double bond is present in the carbon chain, the fatty acid is called monounsaturated ( e.g. oleic acid, C18:1 ). When there are more than one double-bond, then the fatty acid is called polyunsaturated ( e.g. linoleic acid, C18:2 and linolenic acid, C18:3 )