Gamma-Linolenic acid

• (Z, Z, Z) -6,9,12 - octadecatrienoic
• 18:3 ( ω -6) (lipid Name )

Light yellow liquid

Liquid

0.91 g · cm -3

-10 ° C

230-232 ° C ( 1.3 hPa)

Insoluble in water

Attention

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Gamma -linolenic acid ( 18:3 ), in the literature often called short GLA, is a triple- unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. It is synthesized in each animal and the human body from the omega -6 fatty acid linoleic acid or absorbed directly through the diet. The gamma -linolenic acid is a precursor of arachidonic acid and thus dihomogammalinolenic and raw material for the production of both the "good" series -1 as the "evil " series -2 eicosanoids.

The use of gamma -linolenic acid (for example, from borage oil, evening primrose oil, hemp oil ) can influence inflammatory processes in the body low. In addition, gamma -linolenic acid is essential for the brain, especially for nerve conduction and lowers blood pressure.

Occurrence

The following foods are good sources of gamma-linolenic acid:

• Borage oil (about 20 %)
• Evening primrose oil (approx. 10%)
• Hemp oil (approximately 3%)

Proof

The detection and determination of content of linolenic acid is usually done by gas chromatography of the methyl ester; supplement can be a separation of the unsaturated isomers with silver nitrate thin layer chromatography.