sourceatptotal 7 fadh2x 1.5 atp= 10.5 atp 7 nadhx 2.5 atp= 17.5 atp 8 acetyl coax 10 atp= 80 atp activation= -2 atp net= 106 atp for an odd-numbered saturated fat (cn), 0.5 * n - 1.5 oxidations are necessary, and the final process yields an additional propionyl coa, which is then converted to a succinyl coa by carboxylation reaction and thus generates additional 5 atp (1 atp is however consumed in carboxylation process thus generating net 4 atps). in addition, two equivalents of atp are lost during the activation of the fatty acid. therefore, the total atp yield can be stated as: (0.5 * n - 1.5) * 14 + 4 - 2 = total atp or 7n-19 (alternatively) for instance, the atp yield of margaric acid (c17, n = 17) is: 7 * 17 - 19 = 100 for sources that use the larger atp production numbers described above, the total would be 129 atp = equivalents per palmitate. beta-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids changes the atp yield due to the requirement of two possible additional enzymes. similarities between beta-oxidation and citric acid cycle the reactions of beta oxidation and part of citric acid cycle present structural similarities in three of four reactions of the beta oxidation: the oxidation by fad, the hydration, and the oxidation by nad+. each enzyme of these metabolic pathways presents structural similarity. clinical significance there are at least 25 enzymes and specific transport proteins in the β-oxidation pathway. of these, 18 have been associated with human disease as inborn errors of metabolism. furthermore, studies indicate that lipid disorders are involved in diverse aspects of tumorigenesis, and fatty acid metabolism makes malignant cells more resistant to a hypoxic environment. accordingly, cancer cells can display irregular lipid metabolism with regard to both fatty acid synthesis and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (fao) that are involved in diverse aspects of tumorigenesis and cell growth.