Nervonic fatty acid
Abbreviations
- NA
Synonyms
- cis-15-tetracosenoic acid
Description
Represents a 24-carbon monounsaturated fatty acid with one double bond. It is a very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) belonging to the omega -9 family. It is found in nature in certain seed oils (like Acer truncatum and Lunaria annua), marine oils, and human breast milk.
Nutritional potential:
Nervonic acid is essential for the growth, development, and maintenance of the brain and peripheral nervous system. It is a core component of sphingolipids, which make up the myelin sheath—the protective layer surrounding nerve fibers. Dietary supplementation of nervonic acid is being actively researched for its potential to treat or prevent demyelinating and neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and age-related cognitive decline.
Biodiesel potential:
In fuel applications, nervonic acid’s very long hydrocarbon chain dominates its physical properties. While its monounsaturated nature provides excellent oxidation stability (OS) and a high cetane number (CN), its high melting point (approx. 42–43°C) makes it highly detrimental to cold-weather operability. Feedstocks containing significant amounts of nervonic acid will drastically raise the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and cloud point, leading to fuel gelling at ambient temperatures.