Oleic acid is a moderately unsaturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid is polyunsaturated. What structural feature characterizes polyunsaturated fatty acids? Is stearic acid polyunsaturated? Is eleostearic acid? Why do you suppose safflower oil is so highly recommended in dietary programs?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are characterized by the presence of more than one double bond in their structure. Stearic acid is not polyunsaturated as it has no double bonds, while eleostearic acid is polyunsaturated as it has three double bonds. Safflower oil is recommended in dietary programs due to its high content of polyunsaturated fats that lower LDL cholesterol.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

The structural distinctive feature that characterizes polyunsaturated fatty acids is that they contain more than one double bond in their structure. In other words, they have multiple points 'unsaturation'.
02

Analyzing Stearic Acid and Eleostearic Acid

Let's analyse these two acids now. Stearic acid is a type of saturated fatty acid meaning it has no double bonds. Therefore, it is not polyunsaturated. On the other hand, eleostearic acid has three double bonds making it polyunsaturated.
03

Recommending Safflower Oil

Considering the health benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids which include lowering LDL cholesterol, they are commonly recommended in dietary programs. Safflower oil is high in linoleic acid, which is a type of polyunsaturated fat, therefore it is beneficial for health and highly championed in many dietary programs.

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