After the formation of seven malonyl-CoA molecules, a four-step repeating cycle (exten­sion by two carbons/cycle), i. e., condensation, reduction, dehydration, and reduction, takes place for seven cycles and forms the principal product of the fatty acid synthase systems, i. e., palmitic acid, which is the precursor of other long-chain fatty acids (Fan et al., 2011;

Alban et al., 1994). With each course of the cycle, the fatty acyl chain is extended by two carbons. Figures 8.2 and 8.3 illustrate the palmitic acid formation and chain elongation. When the chain length reaches 16 carbons, the product (palmitate) leaves the cycle (Liu and Benning, 2012). All the reactions in the synthetic process are catalyzed by a multienzyme com­plex, i. e., fatty acid synthase (FAS).