Very long chain fatty acid

A very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) is a fatty acid with aliphatic tails longer than 22 carbons.

Unlike most fatty acids, VLCFAs are too long to be metabolized in the mitochondria, and must be metabolized in peroxisomes.

Certain peroxisomal disorders, such as adrenoleukodystrophy, can be associated with an accumulation of VLCFAs.