Docosenoic acid (cis-13)

This high purity omega-9 very long-chain fatty acid is ideal as a standard and for biological studies. cis-13 Docosenoic acid (erucic acid) is biosynthesized from cis-11 eicosenoic acid and is the precursor for nervonic acid which is critical for the central nervous system. Erucic acid is not prevalent in animal tissues although it is slightly more common in cardiolipin. It is very prevalent in many plant oils, sometimes being the most abundant fatty acid in the plant. There are concerns that high concentrations of erucic acid (>10% fatty acid content) in mammalian diet may lead to lipidosis (such as X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy which is characterized by an accumulation of very long-chain saturated fatty acids) and thrombocytopenia.1 However, erucic acid has also been used as a supplement to treat X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, especially in the early stages of the disease.2 Erucic acid used to treat X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is quickly converted, in the central nervous system, to nervonic acid or oleic acid thereby diluting the concentration of the accumulated very long-chain saturated fatty acids and diminishing their damaging effects.3 Erucic acid is considered non-edible or even toxic for human and animal consumption. Canada and the European Union set a <5% limit on edible oils containing erucic acid while the United States set a <2% limit. However the health concerns about erucic acid are still being disputed.4 Erucic acid is thought to reduce the rate of fatty acid oxidation and cause myocardial lipidosis. There are still concerns that canola oil, containing low amounts of erucic acid, can cause an accumulation of triglycerides in the heart but this claim is disputed.5 Erucic acid is prevalent in rapeseed oil due to which the canola plant was genetically engineered (from rapeseed plant) to have a low erucic acid content. Erucic acid is used in the production of plastics, films, and other products.