Question

Which among these is/are very good for health?

• A. Saturated fatty acids
• B. MUFA
• C. PUFA
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is C PUFA

Saturated fatty acids are saturated with hydrogen. In between the carbon atoms, they have single bonds only. They don’t have any double bonds which provides them with high melting points (MP). They are mostly solids at room temperature (RT). They are obtained mostly from animals. They are found in butter and ghee. They include palmitic acid (16C), stearic acid (18c) and arachidic acid (20C).

Unsaturated fatty acids have single or multiple double bonds in between carbon atoms. Due to the presence of double bonds, they have lower MP. They are mostly liquids at room temperature. They are mostly obtained from plants. They are found in sunflower oil, olive oil. They include arachidonic acid (20C), linoleic acid, linolenic acid.
Oleic acid has a single double bond in between the carbon atoms of its hydrocarbon chain and is known as monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA).

Linoleic acid has 2 double bonds in between the carbon atoms of its hydrocarbon chain, Linolenic acid has 3 double bonds in between the carbon atoms of its hydrocarbon chain and Arachidonic acid has 4 double bonds in between the carbon atoms of its hydrocarbon chain and are known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). PUFA are good for health.