�������t¶��

The method involves combining three chemicals: an amine "head," two alkyl epoxide "tails" and, finally, two acyl chloride "branched tails."

A particular ceramide’s character depends on the size of its acyl tail, a portion of the molecule that can contain from 12 to more than 26 carbons.

However, the catalytic turnover was poor because the hydrolysis of the acyl–enzyme intermediate was slow.

“These trichomes produce acyl sugars and other compounds that repel or are toxic to a wide range of insects,” says Hanson.

Fatty acids in the form of phosphoglycerides and triglycerides are the main components of cell membranes, vegetable oils and animal fats, and their hydrophobic acyl chains can be used to produce biofuels.