What is "erucic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) A long chain unsaturated fatty acid, CH₃(CH₂)₇CH=CH(CH₂)₁₁COOH, found in rapeseed and mustard seed oils; the cis- isomer is erucic acid, the trans- isomer is brassidic acid

Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, denoted 22:1ω9. It has the formula CH(CH)CH=CH(CH)COOH. It is prevalent in wallflower seed with a reported content of 20 to 54% in high erucic acid rapeseed oil, and 42% in mustard oil. Erucic acid is also known as cis-13-docosenoic acid and the trans isomer is known as brassidic acid.