The essential fatty acids - revisited

Since the discovery of the essential fatty acids (EFA) namely linolenic acid (18:2n-6) and {X-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) in 1929 there has been a tremendous amount of research carried out on their possible sources, metabolism, physiological functions, deficiency symptoms, status assessments and dietary requirements for most animal species including man. They are termed essential fatty acids as they cannot be synthesised by the mammalian cellular system and must be derived from dietary sources. They are also essential functionally as they are required for the well being and health of the animals, including man. Linolenic and {X-linolenic acid are widely distributed in nature, where they are found in plants, and together with their polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolites are also found in many animal products. The EFA occur in a variety of vegetable oils such as corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, sunflower, olive, linseed and palm oil. Grass represents a rich source of EFA providing herbivores with adequate supplies of these fatty acids.

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