polyunsaturated fatty acid

/ˈpɑliənˌsætʃəˈreɪdɪd ˌfædi ˌæsəd/

Definitions of polyunsaturated fatty acid

1. noun

   an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has more than one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in fish and corn and soybean oil and safflower oil
   types:

   omega-3, omega-3 fatty acid

   a polyunsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has its first double valence bond three carbons from the beginning

   omega-6, omega-6 fatty acid

   a polyunsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has its first double valence bond six carbons from the beginning

   linoleic acid, linolic acid

   a liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid abundant in plant fats and oils; a fatty acid essential for nutrition; used to make soap

   alpha-linolenic acid

   a polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms; the only omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable products; it is most abundant in canola oil; a fatty acid essential for nutrition

   docosahexaenoic acid

   an omega-3 fatty acid with 22 carbon atoms; found in fish (especially tuna and bluefish)

   eicosapentaenoic acid

   an omega-3 fatty acid with 20 carbon atoms; found in fish (especially tuna and bluefish)

   linolenic acid

   a liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid that occurs in some plant oils; an essential fatty acid

   type of:

   unsaturated fatty acid

   a fatty acid whose carbon chain can absorb additional hydrogen atoms