Short-chain fatty acid (Redirected from Volatile fatty acid)

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are fatty acids of two to six carbon atoms. The SCFAs lower limit is interpreted differently, either with 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Derived from intestinal microbial fermentation of indigestible foods, SCFAs in human gut are acetic, propionic, and butyric acid. They are the main energy source of colonocytes, making them crucial to gastrointestinal health. SCFAs all possess varying degrees of water solubility, which distinguishes them from longer chain fatty acids that are immiscible.

List of SCFAs

Lipid number Name Salt/Ester Name Formula Mass
(g/mol)
Diagram
Common Systematic Common Systematic Molecular Structural
C1:0 Formic acid Methanoic acid Formate Methanoate CH2O2 HCOOH 46.03
Ameisensäure Skelett.svg
C2:0 Acetic acid Ethanoic acid Acetate Ethanoate C2H4O2 CH3COOH 60.05
Acetic-acid-2D-skeletal.svg
C3:0 Propionic acid Propanoic acid Propionate Propanoate C3H6O2 CH3CH2COOH 74.08
Propionic acid chemical structure.svg
C4:0 Butyric acid Butanoic acid Butyrate Butanoate C4H8O2 CH3(CH2)2COOH 88.11
Butyric acid acsv.svg
C4:0 Isobutyric acid 2-Methylpropanoic acid Isobutyrate 2-Methylpropanoate C4H8O2 (CH3)2CHCOOH 88.11
Isobutyric-acid.svg
C5:0 Valeric acid Pentanoic acid Valerate Pentanoate C5H10O2 CH3(CH2)3COOH 102.13
Valeric acid acsv.svg
C5:0 Isovaleric acid 3-Methylbutanoic acid Isovalerate 3-Methylbutanoate C5H10O2 (CH3)2CHCH2COOH 102.13
Isovaleric acid structure.png
C5:0 2-Methylbutyric acid 2-Methylbutyric acid 2-Methylbutanoate 2-Methylbutanoate C5H10O2 CH3CH2CH(CH3)COOH 102.13
2-Methylbutyric acid.svg

Functions

SCFAs are produced when dietary fiber is fermented in the colon. Macronutrient composition (carbohydrate, protein, or fat) of diets affects circulating SCFAs.

Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are the three most common SCFAs.

SCFAs and medium-chain fatty acids are primarily absorbed through the portal vein during lipid digestion, while long-chain fatty acids are packed into chylomicrons, enter lymphatic capillaries, then transfer to the blood at the subclavian vein.

SCFAs have diverse physiological roles in body functions. They can affect the production of lipids, energy and vitamins. They can also affect appetite and cardiometabolic health. Additionally they may have an impact on mental health and mood. The three main SCFAs, acetate, propionate and butyrate, were shown to lower blood pressure in experimental models, and clinical trials to determine their effect on hypertensive patients are underway. Butyrate is particularly important for colon health because it is the primary energy source for colonocytes (the epithelial cells of the colon). The liver can use acetate for energy.

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-07-03 12:38 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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