nutrient
Arachidonic acid
Arachidonic acid is a long-chain omega-6 fatty acid found in animal foods and made from linoleic acid.
Educational draft · Human scientific and editorial review pending. About review status
It is part of membrane phospholipids and can be released for synthesis of signalling mediators.
How it works
A downstream omega-6 member
Arachidonic acid can be supplied preformed or made from linoleic acid through elongation and desaturation. Its release from membranes feeds several mediator pathways, which have different effects and contexts.
Related topics
Polyunsaturated fat includes Arachidonic acid
Arachidonic acid is a long-chain omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Evidence: Established · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: European Food Safety Authority: Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholesterol
Linoleic acid can be converted to Arachidonic acid
Linoleic acid is a precursor in the omega-6 pathway that can produce arachidonic acid.
Evidence: Established · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: European Food Safety Authority: Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholesterol
Worth knowing
No separate EFSA DRV. EFSA did not set a dietary reference value for arachidonic acid.
A closer look
Mediator pathways are context-specific
Arachidonic acid can be released from membrane phospholipids and converted into multiple mediator families with context-dependent actions.
Release feeds several mediator families
Arachidonic acid can enter multiple mediator pathways, so its biological effects depend on the enzyme route and tissue context.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.