Research progress of plant α-linolenic acid

α-Linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid characterized by three double bonds and is recognized as one of the essential fatty acids for human health. It serves multiple critical functions, including nutritional supplementation, enhancement of brain development, and protection of nerve cells. In recent years, researchers globally have investigated natural plant sources abundant in α-linolenic acid and developed more efficient extraction methods, thereby significantly advancing the study of this fatty acid. This paper reviews the physiological effects and sources of plant-derived α-linolenic acid, summarizes the biosynthetic pathways, and outlines the primary extraction processes to provide the theoretical evidence for ongoing research and innovation in this field.