Question

How many molecules of ATP are obtained from the NADH and FADH₂ formed in the $\beta$-oxidation of one molecule of a 16-carbon saturated fatty acyl-CoA?

Short answer

28 molecules

Step-by-step solution

Count of ATP per NADH and  FADH2

ATP per NADH molecule is 2.5 molecules

ATP per ${\mathrm{FADH}}_2$molecule is 1.5 molecules.

Count of ATP in β oxidation

There are seven molecules of NADH which means 17.5 ATP molecules.

The count of ATP molecules in 7 ${\mathrm{FADH}}_2$molecules is 10.5 ATP molecules.

So, the total ATP molecules are 28 molecules.