Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Abbreviations
- PUFA
Synonyms
- Polyunsaturated Fats, Polyenoic fatty acids
Description
Represents the sum of all fatty acids that contain two or more double bonds in their hydrocarbon chain (e.g., linoleic acid C18:2, α-linolenic acid C18:3, EPA, DHA).
Nutritional potential:
In human nutrition, PUFAs are essential fats, meaning the body cannot synthesize them and they must be obtained through diet (primarily omega -3 and omega -6). They are crucial for brain function, cell membrane integrity, and regulating inflammation. Replacing saturated fats with PUFAs is strongly associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. However, maintaining a healthy balance between omega -6 and omega -3 intake is important for optimal health.
Biodiesel potential:
In fuel applications, a high PUFA content is generally undesirable for fuel stability. The multiple double bonds are highly reactive, making the biodiesel highly susceptible to oxidation, degradation, and polymerization (poor oxidation stability, OS). They also lower the cetane number (CN), which decreases ignition quality. On the positive side, PUFAs have very low melting points, which significantly improves cold-weather performance by lowering the cold filter plugging point (CFPP).