Fatty Acids: Branched-chain

Branched-chain fatty acids are common constituents of the lipids of bacteria and animals, although they are rarely found in the integral lipids of higher plants. Normally, the fatty acyl chain is saturated and the branch is a methyl-group. However, unsaturated branched-chain fatty acids are found in marine animals, and branches other than methyl may be present in microbial lipids. The most common branched chain fatty acids are mono-methyl-branched, but diand poly-methylbranched fatty acids are also known. Their main function in membranes may be to increase the fluidity of lipids as an alternative to double bonds, which are more liable to oxidation. The following discussion is not intended to be comprehensive.