Taxoleic acid

 ( Alkenoic Acids ) 

Taxoleic acid is a diunsaturated fatty acid composed of 18 carbon atoms with in the positions 5=6 and 9=10, both in cis-configuration.

(2008). 9781420019391, CRC Press. . ISBN 9781420019391

Taxoleic acid is isomeric to linoleic acid.

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Natural occurrence The acid is present in the seed oils of conifers, such as Pinus nigra (≈47%), Taxus cuspidata (≈16.2%), Taxus baccata (≈12.2%), Cedrus libani (≈9.4%), Abies pinsapo (≈8.2%), Pinus pinaster (≈7.1%), Abies alba (≈6.2%), among others.

It is found in conifers, along with other fatty acids (juniperonic acid, Pinolenic acid, coniferonic acid, sciadonic acid) that have a double bond in the position 5, separated by more than one methylene group from the next double bond.

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Biosynthesis Taxoleic acid is believed to be biosynthesized from oleic acid by the enzyme Δ5-desaturase.

(2008). 9780080569833, Elsevier. . ISBN 9780080569833

A similar enzyme capable of producing taxolenic acid was also isolated from the oomycete Pythium irregulare.

The biosynthesis of taxolenic acid and similar fatty acids has also been studied in , where the double bonds are introduced sequentially in a random order.

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