The docosahexaenoic acid ester of hydroxy linoleic acid (13‐DHAHLA) is a bioactive lipid with anti‐inflammatory properties from the family of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA).

To explore the biosynthesis of 13‐DHAHLA from dietary oils, C57BL/6N mice are gavaged for 8 days with various corn oil/marine oil mixtures containing the same amount of DHA. Plasma levels of omega‐3 FAHFAs are influenced by the lipid composition of the mixtures but do not reflect the changes in bioavailability of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma. Triacylglycerol‐bound DHA and linoleic acid serve as more effective precursors for 13‐DHAHLA synthesis than DHA bound in phospholipids or wax esters. Both 13(S)‐ and 13(R)‐DHAHLA inhibit antigen and PGE₂‐induced chemotaxis and degranulation of mast cells to a comparable extent and 13(S)‐DHAHLA is identified as the predominant isomer in mouse adipose tissue.

Here, the optimal nutritional source of DHA is identified, which supports production of anti‐inflammatory FAHFAs, as triacylglycerol‐based marine oil and also reveals a possible role of triacylglycerols in the synthesis of FAHFA lipokines.