TETRACOSAHEXAENOIC ACID

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid (THA, 24:6n-3) has highly specific uses, primarily in scientific, biomedical, and nutritional research due to its role as a very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. 
Beyond Tetracosahexaenoic Acid's role as a DHA precursor and biological molecule, its other uses are niche and research-oriented.

CAS number: 68378‑49‑4
EC number: — (not listed in ECHA, as typical for fatty acids)
Molecular formula: C₂₄H₃₆O₂
Molecular weight: 356.54 g/mol

SYNONYMS:
Nisinic acid, 24:6 (n‑3), C24:6ω‑3, all‑cis‑6,9,12,15,18,21‑tetracosahexaenoic acid, (6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z,18Z,21Z)-Tetracosa-6,9,12,15,18,21-hexaenoic acid, all-cis-6,9,12,15,18,21-tetracosahexaenoic acid, Tetracosahexaenoic acid, 81247-23-6, (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E)-tetracosa-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaenoic acid, 2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E-tetracosahexaenoic acid, C24:6n-12,14,16,18,20,22, tetracosahexaenic acid, SCHEMBL28597, Tetracosahexaenoic acid, (all-Z)-, LMFA01030804, FA(24:6), NS00122018, 24:6 (n-3), FA 24:6, Nisinic Acid, all-cis-6,9,12,15,18,21-Tetracosahexaenoic Acid, (6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z,18Z,21Z)-tetracosa-6,9,12,15,18,21-hexaenoic acid, 6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z,18Z,21Z-tetracosahexaenoic acid, All-cis-6,9,12,15,18,21-tetracosahexaenoic acid, all-cis-tetracosa-6,9,12,15,18,21-hexaenoic acid, C24:6n-3, C24:6omega-3, Nisinic acid, THA

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid (THA) — also known as 24:6n-3 — is a very-long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (VLC-PUFA) with 24 carbon atoms and 6 double bonds. 
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is structurally similar to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and serves as a biosynthetic precursor to DHA in some organisms.

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is a unique very-long-chain omega‑3 fatty acid found predominantly in marine organisms.
Due to its six cis double bonds, Tetracosahexaenoic Acid’s metabolically significant as a DHA precursor and valuable in biochemical research.
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid’s handled under strict lab conditions due to its unsaturation and associated hazards.

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is a very long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid, similar to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
The lipid name is 24:6 (n-3) and the chemical name of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is all-cis-6,9,12,15,18,21-tetracosahexaenoic acid.
It is not well studied, but polyunsaturated fatty acids even longer than DHA, Tetracosahexaenoic Acid included, may hold scientific promise.

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid has biological activity and is involved in the formation of DHA, but the mechanisms are still under research.
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with a 24-carbon backbone and six double bonds.
Three stereoisomers of Tetracosahexaenoic acid are recognized.

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid (24:6n-3) is one of the n-3 PUFA and is a very long chain fatty acid.
Distribution of 24:6n-3 in marine organisms was investigated by several researchers.
Takagi et al. reported relatively high contents of 24:6n-3 in sea lilies and brittle stars (4–10% of total fatty acids).

High 24:6n-3 content was also found in marine coelenterates.
In some edible fishes, 24:6n-3 was detected at significant levels (0–10% of total fatty acids).
The existence of 24:6n-3 in mammalian tissues was reported with other very long chain fatty acids in the spermatozoa, the retina, and the brain.

Voss et al. reported that 24:6n-3 is formed as an intermediate in the metabolic pathway from 20:5n-3 to 22:6n-3 in rat liver.
Even though 24:6n-3 is a PUFA existing in fish and mammalian species, physiological functions of 24:6n-3 have not been studied.

As functions to be studied, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects of 24:6n-3 are noteworthy because these events are known to be closely related to the unsaturated fatty acid metabolism such as in the arachidonic acid cascade, and 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 were reported to suppress inflammatory actions by influencing arachidonic acid metabolism.

24:6n-3 could inhibit the antigen-stimulated production of LT-related compounds as well as other n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3), which are major n-3 PUFA in fish oils.
24:6n-3 was also shown to reduce the histamine content in MC/9 cells at 25 uM (27% reduction from the control), and the effect was diminished with increase of the fatty acid concentration (up to 100 uM).

These two n-3 PUFA, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, also reduced the histamine content (16 and 20% reduction at 25 μM, respectively), whereas arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) increased it (18% increase at 25 μM).
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid belongs to the class of organic compounds known as very long-chain fatty acids.

These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains at least 22 carbon atoms.
Based on a literature review very few articles have been published on Tetracosahexaenoic Acid.
Tetracosahexaenoic acid, also known as fatty acid 24:6, is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that belongs to the omega-3 fatty acid family.

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid's chemical structure consists of a 24-carbon chain with six double bonds, hence the designation 24:6.
This fatty acid has been less commonly discussed in the scientific community compared to other omega-3 fatty acids like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), but Tetracosahexaenoic Acid plays a significant role in various biological processes.

Tetracosahexaenoic Acid, also known as TTA or n-3 tetracosahexaenoic acid, is a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA).
This 24-carbon omega-3 fatty acid is a less commonly discussed member of the omega-3 family, which includes more well-known fatty acids like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

USES and APPLICATIONS of TETRACOSAHEXAENOIC ACID:
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid (THA, 24:6n-3) has highly specific uses, primarily in scientific, biomedical, and nutritional research due to its role as a very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. 
Beyond Tetracosahexaenoic Acid's role as a DHA precursor and biological molecule, its other uses are niche and research-oriented.

-Neuroscience and Brain Health Research uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid:
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is studied in the development of the central nervous system (CNS), especially in perinatal and neonatal brain development.
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is used in in vitro and animal models to observe effects on:
*Neuronal membrane structure
*Myelination
*Cognitive function

-Peroxisomal Disorder Research uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid:
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is relevant in studying peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBDs) like Zellweger spectrum disorders, where the elongation and shortening of VLC-PUFAs like THA is impaired.
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid helps understand how disrupted lipid metabolism affects the brain and organs.

-Retinal Function and Vision Studies uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid:
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is a precursor to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is highly concentrated in the retina.
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is used in studies of visual development, retinal degeneration, and diseases like macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa.

-Lipidomics and Metabolic Profiling uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid:
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is measured in lipidomics to understand how lipid composition changes in:
*Metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity)
*Inflammatory diseases
*Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)

-Customized Lipid Formulations uses  of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid
Sometimes included in synthetic or semi-synthetic lipid formulations for:
*Brain-targeted drug delivery
*Functional liposomes or nanocarriers
*Tailored nutritional interventions for rare lipid metabolism disorders

-Algal and Marine Biotechnology uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid:
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is naturally produced in some microalgae and marine organisms.
Studied for bioengineering purposes to create enhanced sources of DHA or novel omega-3 products.

-Biomarker Development uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid: 
Considered a potential biomarker in specialized cases for: 
*Nutritional deficiency assessments
*Early detection of neurological or metabolic conditions

-While not used in mainstream consumer products, Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is important in experimental, clinical, and biochemical research. 
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid helps bridge the gap between lipid metabolism and health, particularly in:
*Brain and eye development
*Peroxisomal disorders
*Novel therapeutic lipid studies

-Biological Precursor to DHA: 
In some metabolic pathways, Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is converted to DHA via peroxisomal β-oxidation. DHA is essential for brain, retina, and cardiovascular health.
Thus, Tetracosahexaenoic Acid indirectly supports these physiological functions.

-Research and Biomedical Interest
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is studied in:
*Neurodevelopmental biology (especially in brain lipid composition)
*Omega-3 fatty acid metabolism research
*Gene-diet interaction studies

-Component in Specialized Membrane Lipids uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid:
Present in retinal photoreceptor cells and brain membranes, contributing to:
*Membrane fluidity
*Signal transduction
*Synaptic function

-Potential Nutritional Relevance of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid
Rare in the typical human diet, but could be biosynthesized from EPA/DHA precursors.
Occasionally considered in nutritional interventions or metabolic therapies, particularly when studying VLC-PUFA deficiencies or disorders.

-Experimental Therapeutics uses of Tetracosahexaenoic Acid
Being evaluated in preclinical studies for:
*Neuroprotection
*Anti-inflammatory effects
*Peroxisomal disorders

⚙️ FUNCTIONS & POTENTIAL USES OF TETRACOSAHEXAENOIC ACID:
*Biological role:
Intermediate in PUFA biosynthesis; metabolized to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) via β‑oxidation

*Research use: 
Tetracosahexaenoic Acid is employed in metabolic studies of lipid pathways, inflammation, and neural health

*Nutritional interest: 
As an omega‑3 contributor, Tetracosahexaenoic Acid may support anti‑inflammatory and neuroprotective outcomes (research ongoing)