5(Z),8(Z),14(Z)-Eicosatrienoic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that can be a substrate for 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). 5-LO from RBL-1 cells converts this fatty acid to 5-hydroxy-6,8,14-eicosatrienoic acid and 5-hydroperoxy-6,8,14-eicosatrienoic acid. Due to the lack of a double bond at C-11, this particular fatty acid cannot be used in leukotriene A formation.
Mead acid, a 20-carbon ω-9 polyunsaturated fatty acid, experiences elevated levels in human plasma under conditions of essential fatty acid deficiency. As 1,25(Z),8(Z),11(Z)-Eicosatrienoic Acid methyl ester (Mead acid methyl ester), it frequently serves as a standard for fatty acid analysis, particularly after fatty acids have been transesterified into methyl esters.