Current Knowledge on Source and Synthesis of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): A Review

Abstract

Dietary fatty acids are highly recognized as an important biologic controller and having potential to provide number of health benefits. Conjugated linoleic acid is an important conjugated fatty acid with a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6).In the last three decades, this particular type of PUFA has gained significant attention for their biologically active properties and health effects. CLA can be synthesized endogenously in tissues and partial bio hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids in rumen stomach. Also, it can be synthesized by using microbial strains like Lactobacillus spp and Butyrivibrio fibrislovens but the amount of yield obtained is not satisfactory. Application of homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts and photoisomerization methods increased the conversion of linoleic acid to CLA. In 2008, CLA got generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status by FDA, which increased the consumption of CLA and used as a nutraceutical in dietary supplements/foods. With the increasing market demand, the research should focus in developing innovative synthesis methods with enhanced productivity of specific CLA isomers. The main scope of this review is to outline the current knowledge on different types of synthesis of CLA isomers and sources rich in CLA.