Phytanic Acid

Synonyms

Acid, Phytanic

Hexadecanoic acid, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-

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.