Table 1 Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), Delta-5-desaturase (D5D) and Delta-6-desaturase (D6D) with purpose, precursor, product and estimated desaturase activity

SCD1

Desaturation of monounsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids

SCD16

C16:0 (palmitic acid)

C16:1n7 (palmitoleic acid)

16:1n7/16:0

SCD18

C18:0 (stearic acid)

C18:1n9 (oleic acid)

18:1n9/18:0

D6D

Desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)

C18:2n6 (linoleic acid)

C18:3n6 (γ-linolenic acid)

18:3n6/18:2n6

D5D

Desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)

C20:3n6 (dihomo-γ-linolenic acid)

C20:4n6 (arachidonic acid)

20:4n6/20:3n6