Definition of an acetogenic lipid: acetogenic lipids are lipids built from acetate (2-carbon) subunits with hydrocarbon alkenones (alkenones are also known as ketones, and are any compound with a C-O bond). We think of different types of acetogenic lipids in their use as biomarkers:

  • Fatty acids, alcohols, ether lipids
  • Complex polar lipids with long alkyl chains