Question

Compare and contrast the oxidation of even and odd number fatty acids.

Answer 1

The difference is that when the odd-numbered fatty acid is oxidized, it produces propionyl CoA and acetyl CoA in the final round of degradation rather than two molecules of acetyl CoA as occurs in even numbered fatty acids. When odd numbered fatty acids are oxidized then the activated 3 carbon unit in propionyl CoA, once converted into succinyl CoA, enters the citric acid cycle.

The results of few scientific studies suggest that odd-numbered fatty acids might not be favorable substrates for beta-oxidation-related enzymes.