Chemicals and Drugs

Phytanic Acid

A 20-carbon branched chain fatty acid. In phytanic acid storage disease (REFSUM DISEASE) this lipid may comprise as much as 30% of the total fatty acids of the plasma. This is due to a phytanic acid alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A 20-carbon branched chain fatty acid. In phytanic acid storage disease (REFSUM DISEASE) this lipid may comprise as much as 30% of the total fatty acids of the plasma. This is due to a phytanic acid alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C20H40O2
Molecular Weight
312.5 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
14721-66-5
IUPAC Name
3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid
InChIKey
RLCKHJSFHOZMDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CC(=O)O
MeSH Unique ID
D010831
Source
PubChem CID 26840

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Acid, Phytanic

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

91(75); was see under EICOSANOIC ACIDS 1975-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Diterpenes (1974)
  • Fatty Acids (1970-1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Phytanic Acid. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010831. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010831
  2. Phytanic Acid. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytanic_acid
  3. Phytanic Acid. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q421171
  4. Phytanic Acid. In: PubChem Compound. CID 26840. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/26840