Lignoceric acid is a 24-carbon saturated (24:0) fatty acid. In mammals, it is synthesized during brain development and is found in cerebrosides.¹ The deficient peroxisomal oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids, including lignoceric acid, contributes to certain syndromes, including Zellweger cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome and X chromosome-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.² Lignoceric acid is also a by-product of lignin production.

1 Bourre, J., Paturneau-Jouas, M.Y., Daudu, O.L., et al. Lignoceric acid biosynthesis in the developing brain. Activities of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA-dependent synthesisand microsomal malonyl-CoA chain-elongating systemin relation to myelination. Eur J Biochem 72 41-47 (1977).

2 Singh, I., Moser, A.E., Goldfischer, S., et al. Lignoceric acid is oxidized in the peroxisome: Implications for the Zellweger cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome andadrenoleukodystrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 81 4203-4207 (1984).

Bourre, J., Paturneau-Jouas, M.Y., Daudu, O.L., et al. Lignoceric acid biosynthesis in the developing brain. Activities of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA-dependent synthesisand microsomal malonyl-CoA chain-elongating systemin relation to myelination. Eur J Biochem 72 41-47 (1977).

Singh, I., Moser, A.E., Goldfischer, S., et al. Lignoceric acid is oxidized in the peroxisome: Implications for the Zellweger cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome andadrenoleukodystrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 81 4203-4207 (1984).