Linolenic acid belongs to the class of omega-3 fatty acids. It can refer to either of two octadecatrienoic acids, or a mixture of the two. Linolenate (in the form of esters of linolenic acid) is often found in vegetable oils; traditionally, such fatty acylates are reported as the fatty acids:
- α-Linolenic acid, an n-3 fatty acid.
- γ-Linolenic acid, an n-6 fatty acid