Multiple choice

The fatty acid obtained from the cyanobacterium Spirulina is

  1. paullinic acid

  2. lignoceric acid

  3. α-linolenic acid

  4. stearidonic acid

  5. gamma-linolenic acid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Stearidonic acid is a ω-3 fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. It is biosynthesised from alpha-linolenic acid by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase. Natural sources of this fatty acid are the seed oils of hemp, blackcurrant, corn gromwell and echium, and the cyanobacterium Spirulina.

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