Linoleic acid is an organic compound fatty acid.
Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid.
It is virtually insoluble in water but soluble in many organic solvents.
It typically occurs in nature as a triglyceride, rather than as a free fatty acid.
It is one of two essential fatty acids for humans, who must obtain it through their diet.
Linoleic consumption is vital to proper health, as it is an essential fatty acid.
Linoleic acid is a precursor to arachidonic acid (AA).
Arachidonic acid is the precursor to some prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxane (TXA).
Linoleic acid is also converted by lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases, cytochrome P450 enzymes, and non-enzymatic autoxidation mechanisms to mono-hydroxyl products, implicated in physiology and pathology.
Linoleic acid is a component of quick-drying oil paints and varnishes.
Linoleic acid is a surfactant.
Has beneficial properties on the skin, with anti-inflammatory, acne reductive, skin-lightening and moisture retentive properties when applied topically on the skin.
LA is abundant in safflower, sunflower, corn, and comprises over half their composition by weight.
It is present in medium quantities in soybean oils, sesame, and almonds.
Name % LA†
Safflower oil 74.62%
Evening Primrose oil 65-80%
Melon seed oil 70%
Poppyseed oil 70%
Grape seed oil 69.6%
Sunflower oil 65.7%
Prickly Pear seed oil 63%
Hemp oil 54.3%
Corn oil 59%
Wheat germ oil 55%
Cottonseed oil 54%
Soybean oil 51%
Walnut oil 51%
Sesame oil 45%
Rice bran oil 39%
Argan oil 37%
Pistachio oil 32.7%
Peanut oil 32%
Peach oil 29%
Almonds 24%
Canola oil 21%
Chicken fat 18-23%
Egg yolk 16%
Linseed oil (flax) 15%
Lard 10%
Olive oil 10% (3.5 – 21%)
Palm oil 10%
Durio graveolens 4.95%
Cocoa butter 3%
Macadamia oil 2%
Butter 2%
Coconut oil 2%
Cockroaches, ants and bees
release oleic and linoleic acid upon death, which discourages other insects from entering the area.