Those fatty acids in which there is at least one C=C double bond (unsaturation) within the chain.
A distinction can be made by:
- degree of unsaturation, between monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids
- location of unsaturation (particularly using Omega numbering), to identify Omega-9 fatty acids, Omega-6 fatty acids, or Omega-3 fatty acids
- configuration, between cis and trans fats
As opposed to saturated fatty acids.
Synonyms:
unsaturated fats