An overview of the fatty acid biosynthesis in the protozoan parasite Leishmania and its relevance as a drug target against leishmaniasis

•Leishmaniasis is a fast-growing parasitic disease and threatens the use of current drug therapies.•There is a pressing need for evaluation of new drug targets to develop new effective therapies.•Fatty acid biosynthesis is essential in bacteria and viruses but is not fully explored in Leishmania.•Leishmania fatty acid synthesis is unique and complicated than its host.•FA biosynthesis is present in the amastigote parasite and lipids are key for its survival in acidic environment.