Unsaturated fatty acids

Unsaturated fatty acids have a double bond in their structure. The double bond is in cis configuration. Monosaturated fatty acids have one double, while polyunsaturated fatty acids have two or more double bonds in their structure.

Unsaturated fatty acids cannot pack together closely enough to solidify because of the bends in hydrocarbon chains. Therefore, unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. Sources of unsaturated fatty acids include vegetable oils such as olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

Hydrogenation of unsaturated fats produces saturated fats.