Linoleic acid (LA) is an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid.

Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. It is found in the lipids of cell membranes. It is abundant in many vegetable oils, especially safflower and sunflower oils.

To be fully utilised by the body, LA must be converted into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a reaction catalysed by an enzyme called delta-6-desaturase (D6D).

References

Beare-Rogers (2001). IUPAC Lexicon of Lipid Nutrition (pdf). Retrieved on 2006-02-22.