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Fatty acids are known as the main components of fats and oils. The fatty acid structure consists of a long chain of hydrogen and carbon to which one or more carboxylic groups are attached. In terms of classification, Fatty Acids include saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans types. Saturated fatty acids are defined as their simplest type, all their bonding sites are saturated by hydrogen and their structure is not changed by hydrogenation. If there are double bonds in their structure, it is called an unsaturated fatty acid. When only one double bond is present, the resulting fatty acid is called monounsaturated. Also, the presence of two or more double bonds in the fatty acid structure leads to the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, trans fatty acids have hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon double bond in different directions and have unsaturated chemical bonds.
Most of the fatty acids are produced through the hydrolysis of hard animal fats, coconut, and soybean and palm kernel oils through the fractional distillation process. Some others are also extracted from oil. According to research conducted in 2019, the major global production of oil and fat from sources such as palm kernel, coconut, soybean, and animal fats was 1.8, 9.2, 56.8, and 8.9 million tons per year, respectively. Plant sources are among the most important ways of producing fatty acids. The figure below shows the amount of fatty acids in different plant sources.
Industries that use fatty acids include pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, food, cosmetics, soap manufacturing, health care, agricultural chemicals, lubricants, baby food, and resin manufacturing. These fatty acids are available in different forms such as slurry, oil, and powder.
Also, fatty-acids are produced industrially through the hydrolysis of triglycerides and by removing glycerin. In addition, some of these acids are also obtained synthetically through the hydrocarboxylation of alkenes.
Fatty acids are divided into two categories, saturated and unsaturated, each of which is described below.
Saturated or non-essential fatty acids are substances that have absorbed the maximum possible amount of hydrogen and it is no longer possible to add hydrogen to their structure. In other words, these materials are saturated with hydrogen. Saturated acids, such as animal fats, such as tallow, are usually found in solid form. These substances are called non-essential acids because the human body is able to produce them and there is no need to consume them in the diet.
The most famous fatty acids contain 16 to 18 carbon atoms, among which palmitic acid and stearic acid can be mentioned as saturated compounds. Both of these substances are found in the lipids of most living organisms. In animals, about 30% of body fat is made up of palmitic acid, and this amount reaches about 5-50% in plants. Stearic acid is also present in some vegetable oils such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and ruminant body lipids.
Unsaturated fatty acids or essential acids are substances whose carbon chain has a double bond. which are usually seen in liquid form and are quickly oxidized and destroyed when exposed to oxidizing substances and sunlight. This oxidation process leads to the breaking of the carbon double bond and the production of free radicals, which is one of the important factors in causing cancer. For this reason, liquid oil containers are usually designed to be opaque and resistant to sunlight. The question may be raised that despite these disadvantages, why are these substances called essential acids? The answer is that the human body is not able to produce these types of fatty-acids, and therefore they must be supplied through the diet, and it is necessary to consume products containing them.
Oleic acid and linoleic acid can be mentioned among the unsaturated compounds.
Saturated fats have only one single bond, while unsaturated fats have at least one double bond in their structure. Excessive consumption of saturated fats should be limited due to the risk of heart disease, but polyunsaturated fatty acids are generally healthier. However, if consumed in excess, they can lead to an increase in blood cholesterol levels. Unlike unsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids have a higher melting point and are solid at room temperature and spoil more slowly. Unsaturated acids are usually in liquid form and spoil faster.
Various fats obtained from animal sources such as tallow play an essential role in the production of soaps. Tallow makes up about 75% of the fats used in the soap making industry. Tallow is a mixture of glycerins and is extracted from solid fats that have been steam-refined.
Ayman Sharif Petro Technical and Engineering Knowledge Base Company is one of the companies that independently produces soap, recycles and refines burnt edible oil, etc.
The part of refined animal fat that is extracted in solid form from tallow oil is known as tallow oil. This oil has different opinions among people; Some consider it harmful and others consider it useful. The human body needs a variety of oils, but they should be consumed in the recommended amount, which is usually a maximum of seven percent. Balanced consumption of this oil can help reduce body cholesterol.
Fatty acids in the body act as one of the main sources of energy and key components of membrane lipids, and also play a role as cell signaling molecules that play an important role in the occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and 2 enzymes catalyze the synthesis of malonyl-CoA, which acts as a substrate for the synthesis of fatty-acids and a regulator of the oxidation of these acids. These enzymes play a vital role in the energy metabolism of fatty acids in animals, especially in humans. Due to the role of these acids in the treatment of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular complications, much attention has been paid to them.
These acids, which are extracted from animal fat, may be saturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are used in the soap industry and cosmetic products due to their compatibility with human skin.
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Petro Imen Sharif Engineering Company was founded in 2010 by a group of engineers and specialists graduated from top universities in Iran, who believe in the motto “Desire creates” and with a focus on advancing scientific movements in the field of environmental protection.
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