Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are beneficial for health, found in sources like nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, and are essential for reducing cholesterol and risk of heart disease. However, they can become harmful when oxidized, leading to inflammation and other health issues. Various studies highlight both the health benefits of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs and the potential risks associated with their oxidation.

1. SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Department of Food Technology
Jain University, Jain Global Campus, Jakkasandra Post,
Kanakapura Main road, Ramanagara District,
Karnataka-562112
Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acid
(PUFA)
Presented
by
Sreeparna Pal
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4. PUFA
• Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids are those fatty acids where
unsaturation occur more than two points.
• Cis configuration in nature...pufa.pptx
• They possess protective role on human health and
considered as beneficial for consumption.
• They are more susceptible to heat, light and oxygen.
When it get damaged due to any of the following things
it oxidised and oxidised fats are inflammatory.
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5. Sources
 Nuts and Vegetable oil (Soybean Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Ricebran oil,
peanut oil, safflower oil etc.)
 Seeds (Chia seeds, Flax seeds etc.)
 Fatty fish (Fish oil)
 Meat and its product
 Poultry
RDA: 6-10% of total energy intake per day.
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6. • The site of unsaturation in a fatty acid is
indicated by the symbol Δ
• For example, Oleic acid is a 18-carbon fatty acid
with one site of unsaturation: between carbons 9
and 10 and is designated by 18:1Δ9
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7. Classification
Omega-
3 fatty
acids
EPA ( Ecosapentaenoic
acid)
DHA
(Docosahexaenoic
acid)
ALA (Alpha Linolenic
Acid)
Sources: Cold
water fish (
Sardines, Krill,
Salmon)
Coconut oil, chia
seeds, walnuts
etc.
Omega-
6 fatty
acids
Arachidonic Acid
Linoleic Acid
Sources: Tofu,
walnuts,
peanut butter,
safflower oil,
cured meat
etc.
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8. It is 18 carbon
compound.
ALA converted
to DHA and EPA
in order to
activate in the
body.
It is 20 carbon
compound.
Its main
purpose to form
a signalling
molecule called
eicosanoid.
It is 22 carbon
compound.
It serve as a
structural
component in
cell
membranes,
especially nerve
cell and
photoreceptor
cell.
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9. 9
• It is 18 carbon long chain.
• It is used by the body to
synthesize of AA and
prostaglandins, leukotriene and
thromboxane.
Linoleic Acid
(LA)
• LA in metabolized in the body to
form GLA.
• GLA is the only omega-6 fat which
is endogenously synthesized.
Gamma Linoleic
Acid (GLA)
• GLA broken down to AA.
• It is essential for brain and liver.
• AA appears to help increase
muscle mass.
Arachidonic
Acid (AA)

10. Benefits & Harmful effect of
PUFA
Benefits
• PUFA can help to reduce
cholesterol and lower the
risk of heart disease,
especially when you use
them instead of saturated
or trans fats.
Harmful effect
• Oxidised PUFA can cause
inflammation
• Obesity
• Diabetes
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11. Health Benefits
• Harris WS et al. (2008) examined Intakes of long-chain omega-3
fatty acid associated with reduced risk for death from coronary
heart disease in healthy adults. This study provide information that
an intake of 400-500mg/day EPA+DHA is significantly reduce risk for
death from CHD in healthy adults.
• Maki KC et al. (2018) conducted studies to investigate ω-6
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cardio-metabolic Health: Current
Evidence, Controversies, and Research Gaps. This study suggests
that ω-6 PUFAs reduce concentrations of LDL cholesterol and non-
HDL cholesterol and have a neutral effect on blood pressure.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids induce ovarian cancer cell death
through ROS-dependent MAP kinase activation was done by Tanaka
A et al. (2017). This study suggest that PUFA induced cancer cell
death by ROS dependent MAP kinase activation. 11

12. Reference
• Harris WS, Kris-Etherton PM, Harris KA (2008). Intakes of long-chain
omega-3 fatty acid associated with reduced risk for death from
coronary heart disease in healthy adults. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2008
Dec;10(6):503-9.
• Maki KC1, Eren F2, Cassens ME2, Dicklin MR1, Davidson MH (2018).
ω-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cardiometabolic Health:
Current Evidence, Controversies, and Research Gaps. Adv Nutr. 2018
Sep 4. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmy038.
• Tanaka A, Yamamoto A, Murota K, Tsujiuchi T, Iwamori M,
Fukushima N (2017). Polyunsaturated fatty acids induce ovarian
cancer cell death through ROS-dependent MAP kinase activation.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2017 Nov 4;493(1):468-473. doi:
10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.08.168. Epub 2017 Sep 4.
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13. THANK
YOU
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