Odd-chain fatty acid

Odd chain fatty acids are those that contain an odd number of carbon atoms in the structure. Almost all animal fatty acid synthesis is done by assembling two 2C Acetyl-CoA molecules together. Because the segments are each two carbons in length the resulting fatty acid has an even number of carbon atoms in it. Some plant based fatty acids however have an odd number of carbon atoms, and Phytanic fatty acid absorbed from plant chlorophyll has multiple methyl branch points. As a result it breaks down into three odd numbered 3C Propinoyl segments as well as three even numbered 2C Acetyl segments and one even numbered 4C Isobutynoyl segment.