eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Scientific Name	CAS Registry No.
5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid	10417-94-4
Molecular Name	Common Name
C20 H30 O2	eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Other Names
(all-cis)-5,8,11,14,17-Eicosapentaenoic acid; (all-Z)-delta5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA
2-D Structure

Biosynthetic Pathway
The delta-5 desaturase product of 20:4n3. Also synthesized by peroxisomal chain shortening of 22:5n3.
Distribution in...
Tissues	Lipid Classes
Present in all tissues.	Present in most lipid classes to a modest degree, is mildly enriched in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and cholesterol esters.
Bioactive Products	Dietary Sources
Series-3 Prostaglandins; Series-5 Leukotrienes	Present in fish oils and animal phospholipids. Cattle-liver lipids; various fish and seal oils, marine oils.
Links/References