A carboxylic acid derived from or contained in an animal or vegetable fat or oil. All fatty acids are composed of a chain of alkyl groups containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms (usually an even number) and characterized by a terminal carboxyl group - COOH. The generic formula for mentioned acetic is CH3(CH2)xCOOH (the carbon atom count includes the carboxyl group). Fatty acids may be saturated or unsaturated (olefinic), and solid, semisolid, or liquid. They are classed among the lipids, together with soap and waxes
