Why is the stepwise oxidation of fatty acids called ββ oxidation? Why is the stepwise oxidation of fatty acids called oxidation? Stepwise oxidation of fatty acids is known as ββ oxidation because the carbon ββ to the end of the fatty acid (one carbon away from the last carbon in the chain) is oxidized in the process. Stepwise oxidation of fatty acids is known as ββ oxidation because in this process the fatty acid is gradually oxidized to ββ-hydroxy propionic acid Stepwise oxidation of fatty acids is known as ββ oxidation because the carbon ββ to the end of the fatty acid (two carbons away from the last carbon in the chain) is oxidized in the process. Stepwise oxidation of fatty acids is known as ββ oxidation because the carbon ββ to the thioester group (two carbons away from the thioester group) is oxidized in the process.