Maximum energy is obtained by the oxidation of

Options

A. glucose
B. palmitic acid
C. malic acid
D. amino acid

Answer

B

Explanation

A 2C compound forms one molecule of acetyl CoA. one mole of acetyl CoA yields 12 ATP through Krebs' cycle. A 18C compound like stearic acid (`C_10H_36 O_2`) yields 9 acetyl CoA + 8 molecules, one each of `NADH_2 + FADH_2` through b-oxidation. `NADH_2` on oxidation produces 3ATP and `FADH_2` produces 2ATP i.e., total 3 + 2 = 5. Thus 18 C compound will produce 9 Acetyl CoA ( `9 xx 12` ATP)+ 8 mols one each of `NADH_2 + FADH_2` ( `8 xx 5` ATP)= 108 + 40 = 148 ATP. Two ATP are used up and, therefore, net gain= 146. Similarily a 16C compound (e.g., palmitic acid, `C_16 H_32O_2`) will produce 8 Acetyl CoA ( `8 xx 12 = 96` ATP)+ 7 molecules, one each of `NADH_2 and FADH_2` (`7 xx 5 = 35` ATP) i.e., 96 + 35 = 131 ATP. 2 ATP used up and therefore, net ATP= 131 - 2 = 129.