3398. Docosahexaenoic Acid
Nomenclature
CAS number: 6217-54-5
(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)-4,7,10,13,16,19-Docosahexaenoic acid; cervonic acid; doconexent; DHA. C22H32O2; mol wt 328.49.
C 80.44%, H 9.82%, O 9.74%.
Description and references
Omega-3 fatty acid found in marine fish oils and in many phospholipids. Major structural component of excitable membranes of the retina and brain; synthesized in the liver from α-linolenic acid, q.v. Isoln from oil of Sardina ocellata J. and structure: J. M. Whitcutt, Biochem. J. 67, 60 (1957). Improved isoln from cod liver oil: S. W. Wright et al., J. Org. Chem. 52, 4399 (1987). Effect on brain and behavioral development: P. E. Wainwright, Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 16, 193 (1992). Review of uptake and metabolism by retinal cells: N. G. Bazan, E. B. Rodriguez de Turco, J. Ocul. Pharmacol. 10, 591-603 (1994). Review of clinical studies in infant formula supplementation: M. Makrides et al., Lipids 31, 115-119 (1996).
