LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF LIPID

❖ Define and classify lipids, state their sources, functions and biomedical Importance.
❖ Define and classify fatty acids, state their sources, function and biomedical
Importance, mention eicosanoids with their origin.
❖ State the sources and importance of essential fatty acids: omega-3 fatty acid, omega-
6 fatty acid and trans fatty acid.
❖ Define steroids and sterols.
❖ Describe the sources, and biomedical importance of cholesterol.

Lipid:
The lipids are heterogeneous group of compounds, related either, actually or potentially to
the fatty acids and which are relatively insoluble in water and soluble in fat solvents such as ether,
chloroform and benzene.
Biomedical Importance of Lipid:
A. Biological Importance:
✓ Important dietary constituent as-
• Have high energy value,
• Sources of fat-soluble vitamins,
• Sources of essential fatty acids.
✓ Serves as reserve source of energy;
✓ Acts as thermal and electrical insulator;
✓ Precursor for steroid hormones;
✓ Structural component of cell membranes.
B. Medical Importance: Some diseases related to lipid metabolism-
✓ Obesity
✓ Atherosclerosis
✓ Other nutritional disease
Classification of Lipid:
A. Simple Lipid:
▪ Ester of Fatty acid with alcohol.
▪ Basically, it is composed of Fatty acid + Alcohol.
▪ Example: Fat and oil, Wax.
1. Fat: Ester of Fatty acid with Alcohol (Glycerol).
Example: Triacylglycerol (TAG).
 2. Wax: Ester of fatty acid with long chain monohydric alcohol.
Example:
Retinol = Retinal + Fatty Acid
Cholesterol Ester = Cholesterol + Fatty Acid
B. Complex Lipid:
▪ Ester of Fatty acid with alcohol containing other non-lipid substances.
▪ Basically, it is composed of Fatty acid + Alcohol + Other non-lipid substances.
▪ Example: Phospholipids, Glycolipid and lipoprotein.
1. Phospholipid:
Composed of fatty acid + alcohol+ Phosphoric acid(phosphate) with or without
nitrogen base.
2. Glycolipid:
These are the lipids containing carbohydrate. Basically, composed of fatty acid+
sphingol+ carbohydrate.
3. Lipoprotein:
They are composed of lipid + specific protein. Important lipoproteins are
chylomicron, HDL, VLDL, LDL.
C. Precursor/Derived Lipid:
▪ Derivatives obtained by hydrolysis of simple and complex lipid which still possess
the general characteristics of lipid.
▪ Example: Fatty acid, Glycerol, Steroid, Cholesterol, Ketone bodies.

Differences between Fat and Oil:

Trait Fat Oil
Nature Solid at room temperature (25⁰C) Liquid at room temperature (25⁰C)
Origin Mostly animal origin Plant in origin
Fatty acid chain Contain long chain FA Contain more short chain FA
Fatty acid nature Contain more saturated FA Contain more unsaturated FA

Phospholipid:
▪ Composed of fatty acid + alcohol+ Phosphoric acid (phosphate) with or without
nitrogen base.
 ▪ They are widely present in nervous system, brain, liver, kidney, pancreas and heart.
▪ They are main lipid of cell membrane.
▪ There are two classes of Phospholipid: Glycerophospholipid (Phosphoglycerides) &
Sphingophospholipid (Sphingomyelin).
1. Glycerophospholipid:
These contain glycerol as alcohol. The following are glycerophospholipids-
❖ Phosphatic acid (PA): containing diacylglycerol with phosphate group on the third
carbon, i.e.{FA + Glycerol + H3PO4}
❖ Phosphatidylcholine (Lecithin): PA + Choline. It is a major constituent of
surfactant and also present in cell membrane.
❖ Phosphatidylethanolamine (Cephalin): PA + Ethanol amine
❖ Phosphatidylserine: PA + Serine. It is required for cell membrane synthesis.
❖ Phosphatidylinositol: PA + Inositol. It is required for signal transmission across
cell membrane.
❖ Phosphatidylglycerol: PA + Glycerol.
❖ Diphosphatidylglycerol (Cardiolipin): 2(PA + Glycerol). It is a major lipid in
mitochondrial membrane.
2. Sphingophospholipid(Sphingomyelin):
That contain sphingosine as alcohol. They are found in nervous system.
Biological Importance of phospholipid:
 Constitute biological membrane.
 Membrane phospholipids provides arachidonic acid for synthesis of eicosanoids.
 Helps in coagulation and lipoprotein formation.
 Lecithin acts as surfactant in lung to prevent collapsing of alveoli.
 Acts as a 2nd messenger for hormones.
 In bile, it solubilizes cholesterol and prevent gall stone.

Fatty acid:
Fatty acids are aliphatic mono carboxylic acids.

Ester Bond: It is a bond between fatty acid and glycerol.

Properties of Fatty Acid/Fat:
A. Physical Properties:
➢ Colorless, odorless, tasteless and neutral.
➢ Insoluble in water but soluble in fat solvent.
➢ Specific gravity is less than 1.0, so floats in water.
➢ Make emulsion with water.
B. Chemical Properties:
1. Hydrolysis:
On hydrolysis, produce fatty acid and glycerol.
2. Saponification:
By saponification, produces soap. Here fat is hydrolyzed by alkali producing
glycerol and soap ( alkali salt of fatty acid).
3. Rancidity:
On storage of fat exposed to air for long time in vitro, fat auto oxidized to peroxides,
epoxides and aldehydes to develop unpleasant taste and order with change of color
which is known as rancidity.
4. Peroxidation:
Fat undergoes peroxidation (auto oxidation) in vivo to produce lipid peroxides and
free radicals which causes tissue damage and also claimed to be associated with
cancer, aging process and atherosclerotic process.
5. Hydrogenation and hardening:
Unsaturated fatty acid of fat exhibit’s additive reaction by absorbing hydrogen and
turns into saturated fatty acid which elevates the melting point of fat, so fat remain
hard at room temperature.

Classification of fatty acid:

A. According to the presence or absence of double bonds:
1. Saturated fatty acids: They do not contain any double bond in their hydrocarbon
chain.
Common source:
▪ Animal fat: Butter, Ghee, Dalda, Milk fat, Beef fat, Chicken fat, Mutton
fat etc.
▪ Vegetable fat: Coconut oil, Palm oil etc.
Examples:
▪ Acetic acid (2C)
▪ Propionic acid (3C)
▪ Butyric acid (4C)
▪ Palmitic acid (16C)
2. Unsaturated fatty acids: They contain one or more double bond in their
hydrocarbon chain. They are again 2 types-
a) Monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA):
▪ They contain one double bond.
 ▪ Found in olive oil.
▪ Example: Palmitic acid (16C), Oleic acid (18C).
b) Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA):
▪ They contain more than 2 double bonds.
▪ Example:
o Linoleic acid (18C),
o Linolenic acid (18C),
o Arachidonic acid (20C).
B. According to Biological Need:
1. Essential fatty acids: These are polyunsaturated fatty acid which are not produced
in human body and must be supplied in diet.
Example-
▪ Linolic acid: 18C, ω6 fatty acid with 2 double bonds.
▪ Linolenic acid: 20C, ω3 fatty acid with 3 double bonds
▪ Arachidonic acid: 20C, ω6 fatty acid with 4 double bonds.
2. Semi essential fatty acid: Arachidonic acid- It is 20C ω6 fatty acid with 4 double
bonds. In human body Linoleic acid to some extent is converted into Arachidonic
acid. So, arachidonic acid may not be essential fatty acid if diet contain sufficient
amount of linoleic acid. So, arachidonic acid is semi essential fatty acid
3. Non-Essential fatty acids: These are fatty acid which body can synthesized.
Example: Palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid.
C. According to the length of carbon chain:
1. Short chain fatty acid: Less than 6 carbons (Acetic acid).
2. Medium chain fatty acid: 8-14 carbons (Capric acid).
3. Long chain fatty acid:16-24 carbons (Palmitic acid).

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA):

These are fatty acids which contain more than two double bonds.
Functions of PUFA:
➢ Structural component of cell membrane.
➢ Transport of cholesterol.
➢ Formation of lipoprotein.
➢ Synthesis of eicosanoids.
Deficiency Disorder:
➢ Loss of hair
➢ Toad skin
➢ Poor wound healing
Essential Fatty acids:
These are polyunsaturated fatty acid which are not produced in human body and must be
supplied in diet.
Example-
➢ Linolic acid: 18C, ω6 fatty acid with 2 double bonds.
➢ Linolenic acid: 20C, ω3 fatty acid with 3 double bonds
➢ Arachidonic acid: 20C, ω6 fatty acid with 4 double bonds.
Common Sources:
➢ Vegetable oil (except coconut oil and palm oil)
➢ Fish oil (fish viscera)
➢ Cod liver oil
➢ Egg yolk (source of linoleic acid)
Functions of EFA:
➢ Act as precursor of eicosanoids.
➢ Acts as a component of biological membrane and maintain its fluidity
➢ Reduces plasma cholesterol by increasing cholesterol excretion in bile and cholesterol
oxidized to bile acid and thereby reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
➢ Helps in gonadal functions, reproduction and growth.
➢ Supports oxidative phosphorylation in respiratory chain of mitochondria since EFA is the
structural element of mitochondrial membrane.
➢ Helps in vision.
Deficiency Manifestations of EFA:
➢ Dermatitis
➢ Degenerative changes in arterial wall
➢ Impaired gonadal function
➢ Fatty liver
➢ Poor wound healing and hair loss
➢ Faulty vision

Identification of Lipid (to check purity of fat or oils):

1. Iodine Number:
Iodine number of fat is defined as the number of grams of iodine absorbed by 100 grams
of fat.
Significance: It indicates the degree of unsaturation of fat. More the iodine no, more the
unsaturation and more it will be suitable for human consumption.
2. Saponification Number:
It is defined as the amount of KOH in milligram required to hydrolyze (saponify) 1 gram
of fat or oil.
 Significance: More the saponification number less the length of fatty acid chain.
3. Acid Number:
It is defined as the number of KOH in milligrams required to neutralize the free fatty acids
present in 1 gram of fat.
Significance: This is used to determine the rancidity due to free fatty acids. If acid number
is more then it will unsafe for human consumption.

Carbon numbering system of unsaturated fatty acid:

A. Delta numbering system:

 Numbering begins at the carboxyl group.
 Total carbon number
 Total number of double bonds
 The position of double bond
 Unsaturated fatty acid Linoleic acid is written as 18:2;9,12. That means it is a 18-
carbon fatty acid with 2 double bond and the double bond is placed between carbon
number 9 & 10 and carbon number 12 & 13.
CH3-(CH2)4-CH=CH-CH2-CH=CH-(CH2)7-COOH

B. Omega Numbering system:

 Numbered beginning at the ω-carbon end(methyl terminal).
 Here first double bond count from the ω-carbon.
 Linoleic acid- ω6 fatty acid.
CH3-(CH2)4-CH=CH-CH2-CH=CH-(CH2)7-COOH
 Linoleic acid- ω3 fatty acid.
 Arachidonic acid- ω6 fatty acid.
Trans and Cis Fatty acid:
Cis Fatty acid:
Double bonds of unsaturated fatty acid can arrange in cis isomeric form with both hydrogen
atoms present on the same side of double bonds. This makes unsaturated fatty acid more fluid.

Trans fatty acid/Trans fat:

Double bonds of unsaturated fatty acid can also be arranged in trans isomeric form with
hydrogen atoms on the opposite side of double bonds. This makes unsaturated fatty acid less fluid.

Importance:
➢ Consumption of trans fatty acid/trans fat elevate LDL & decrease HDL. So, they increase
the risk of coronary artery disease & diabetes mellitus.

Cholesterol:
It is a precursor lipid containing steroid nucleus (Cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene
Nucleus).
 Normal level: 150-200 mg/dl
 Daily requirement: 1400 mg/day
 Sources:
 Exogenous source (Dietary source)- 700 mg/day. Examples- Egg yolk, liver, brain,
chicken, beef, mutton, prawn, skin of birds, or chicken etc.
 Endogenous synthesis: 700mg/day.
 Functions:
 Structural component of cell membrane.
 Precursor of steroid hormone, bile acid and vit-D.
 High plasma cholesterol is associated with atherosclerotic disorders e.g. stroke,
coronary artery disease. (Disadvantage of cholesterol)
 SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISES

A. Essay question:
1) Define and classify lipid with suitable examples.
2) Define essential fatty acid. Why they are called so?
3) Define and classify phospholipid with their biological importance.
4) What do you mean by omega 3 fatty acid? Give their importance.
B. Short notes:
1) Cholesterol
2) PUFA
3) Cis-trans isomerism
4) Rancidity
C. Fill in the blanks:
1) The isomerism associated with unsaturated fatty acids ____________.
2) The number of mg of KOH required to hydrolyse 1g fat or oil is known as
__________.
3) The steroids contain a cyclic ring known as __________.
D. Multiple choice question:
1) Cholesterol is :
a) a compound lipid
b) present in body as cholesterol ester
c) eliminated from the body as bile salt
d) a precursor of vitamin A
e) a sterol
2) ω6 essential fatty acids are:
a) linoleic acid
b) linolenic acid
c) arachidonic acid
d) oleic acid
e) stearic acid
3) Phospholipids are:
a) heparin
 b) phosphatidyl glycerol
c) phosphatidyl serine
d) phosphatidyl inositol
e) hyaluronic acid

ANSWERS

C. ....
1) Cis-trans isomerism
2) Saponification number
3) Cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene Nucleus
D. ....
1) b, c, e
2) a, c
3) b, c, d

Prepared by
Dr. Md. Sahadat Hossain
MBBS, M. Phil (Biochemistry)
Lecturer
Bangabandhu Medical College, Sunamganj