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Reference.org
Linoleic acid
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<p>Linoleic acid (LA) is an <a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">organic compound</a> with the formula HOOC(CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)4CH3. Both <a href="/facts/Alkene/RtYcS6kU">alkene</a> groups (−CH=CH−) are <a href="/facts/Cis-trans_isomerism/vqlchJly"><i>cis</i></a>. It is a <a href="/facts/Fatty_acid/JGg3erIu">fatty acid</a> sometimes denoted 18:2 (n−6) or 18:2 <i>cis</i>-9,12. A linoleate is a <a href="/facts/Salt_(chemistry)/lsSKwGpn">salt</a> or <a href="/facts/Ester/FoUAIIw4">ester</a> of this acid. </p><p>Linoleic acid is a <a href="/facts/Polyunsaturated_fatty_acid/hvHwC43j">polyunsaturated</a>, <a href="/facts/Omega-6_fatty_acid/0o3n3dtL">omega−6 fatty acid</a>. It is a colorless liquid that is virtually <a href="/facts/Insoluble/kLE9h3Jb">insoluble</a> in water but soluble in many <a href="/facts/Organic_solvent/LoMPMz8S">organic solvents</a>. It typically occurs in nature as a <a href="/facts/Triglyceride/BQmjv4A0">triglyceride</a> (ester of <a href="/facts/Glycerol/sRQ6NBQQ">glycerin</a>) rather than as a <a href="/facts/Free_fatty_acid/JGg3erIu">free fatty acid</a>. It is one of two <a href="/facts/Essential_fatty_acid/0WQfcE9D">essential fatty acids</a> for humans, who must obtain it through their diet, and the most essential, because the body uses it as a base to make the others. </p><p>The word "linoleic" derives from <a href="/facts/Latin_language/pM3Kge85">Latin</a> <i> linum</i> '<a href="/facts/Flax/rm28CMyJ">flax</a>' and <i> oleum</i> 'oil', reflecting the fact that it was first isolated from <a href="/facts/Linseed_oil/v0XdLFcr">linseed oil</a>. </p>