What is the Difference Between Arachidic Acid and Arachidonic Acid

The key difference between arachidic acid and arachidonic acid is that arachidic acid is a saturated fatty acid, while arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats in the human body. They normally come from the food people eat daily. The body breaks down fats into fatty acids that can be absorbed into the blood. Fatty acids are normally joined together by triglycerides. The fatty acids normally function as an energy source, especially when glucose is not available for energy. Fatty acids are two types based on saturation (not having double bonds) and unsaturation (having double bonds). These are saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Arachidic Acid 
3. What is Arachidonic Acid
4. Similarities – Arachidic Acid and Arachidonic Acid
5. Arachidic Acid vs Arachidonic Acid in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Arachidic Acid vs Arachidonic Acid

What is Arachidic Acid?

Arachidic acid, also called icosanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid. Therefore, it does not have double bonds in the carbon chain. It is a conjugate acid of icosanoate. Moreover, arachidic acid has a 20-carbon backbone or chain. The chemical formula of arachidic acid is C₂₀H₄₀O₂.

Arachidic Acid is a minor constituent of cupuacu butter, perilla oil, peanut oil, corn oil, and cocoa butter. It is also naturally found in organisms like Staphisagria macrosperma and Tripneustes ventricosus. The salts and ester of arachidic acid are usually known as arachidates. Arachidic acid can be formed by the hydrogenation of arachidonic acid. Furthermore, the reduction of arachidic acid yields arachidyl alcohol. Industrially, arachidic acid is used for the production of detergents, photographic materials, and lubricants.

What is Arachidonic Acid?

Arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated omega 6 fatty acid. It is structurally similar to arachidic acid. Arachidonic acid is a carboxylic acid. It contains four cis-double bonds. The first double bond of arachidonic acid is located at the sixth carbon from the omega end. Arachidonic acid is normally present in phospholipids of cell membranes of the body cells. Moreover, arachidonic acid is abundant in the brain, muscles, and liver. Arachidonic acid is a conditionally essential fatty acid. This means it becomes essential if linoleic acid is deficient in the body.

The main food sources of arachidonic acid are meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy foods. It is absent in plants as plants cannot produce it. Functionally, arachidonic acid acts as a chemical messenger involved in cell repair and growth of cells, and it also plays a pivotal role in brain health. Moreover, it is involved in injury, inflammation, and healing of wounds.

What are the Similarities Between Arachidic Acid and Arachidonic Acid?

• Arachidic acid and arachidonic acid are two structurally similar fatty acids.
• Both fatty acids contain a C-20 chain.
• They are carboxylic acids.
• They are present in natural food sources.
• Arachidic acid can be formed by the hydrogenation of arachidonic acid.
• They are both useful industrially as well as biologically.

What is the Difference Between Arachidic Acid and Arachidonic Acid?

Arachidic acid is a saturated fatty acid, while arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Thus, this is the key difference between arachidic acid and arachidonic acid. Furthermore, arachidic acid is a nonessential fatty acid, while arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid.

The below infographic presents the differences between arachidic acid and arachidonic acid in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Arachidic Acid vs Arachidonic Acid

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats in the human body. They serve as alternative energy sources. Arachidic acid and arachidonic acid are two structurally similar fatty acids. Moreover, arachidic acid can be formed by the hydrogenation of arachidonic acid. However, arachidic acid is a saturated fatty acid, while arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. So, this is the key difference between arachidic acid and arachidonic acid.

Reference:

1. “Arachidic Acid.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. Tallima, Hatem, Rashika El Ridi. “Arachidonic Acid: Physiological Roles and Potential Health Benefits – A Review.” Journal of Advanced Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Arachidic formula representation” By LadyofHats – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Image from page 107 of “The Biological bulletin” By Internet Archive Book Images (Public Domain) via Flickr