Eicosenoic Acid
Also known as Gondoic acid, 11-eicosenoic acid, 20:1, Eicosenoic
Eicosenoic acid is a long-chain monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid with a 20-carbon backbone. It appears in small amounts in many plant oils, nuts, and some fish.
Why it matters
What it does in your body
- Minor energy-providing fat found alongside oleic acid in many foods
- A structural component of some plant oils, notably jojoba and canola
- Present in trace amounts in cell membranes and tissues
Intake guidance
How much you need
There is no separate daily target for eicosenoic acid. It is a minor part of your total dietary fat, and the body can make monounsaturated fatty acids, including by elongating oleic acid, so it is not considered essential.
What affects it
What affects your intake
Food source
It is most concentrated in jojoba oil, but for eating it appears mainly in macadamia nuts, canola oil, and some marine fish.
Small quantities
In typical diets it occurs only in small amounts, usually alongside larger amounts of oleic acid.
In practice
Good to know
Good to know: eicosenoic acid, also called gondoic acid, is a minor monounsaturated fat you get in small amounts from nuts, canola oil, and fish. It is chemically related to oleic acid and behaves as a typical monounsaturated fat in the diet. It is best known from jojoba oil, which is used in cosmetics rather than eaten. It has no special dietary requirement or notable concern at ordinary intakes.
Where to get it
Best food sources
The bottom line
Eicosenoic acid is a minor monounsaturated fat that comes along with foods like macadamias, canola oil, and fish. There is nothing you need to do to get more or less of it.
Track eicosenoic acid automatically
Eicosenoic Acid is one of the 92 nutrients Vora reads from a photo of your meal, so you can see where you stand without weighing or logging by hand.
Sources and method
The classification, roles, and guidance on this page come from the references below, drawing on the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academies) Dietary Reference Intakes and reputable nutrition science.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025
- USDA FoodData Central
This page is for general education, not medical advice. Reference intakes are population averages for healthy people and do not replace guidance from your doctor or a registered dietitian, especially if you are pregnant, managing a health condition, or considering supplements.