Palmitic Acid

About Palmitic Acid

Palmitic Acid, commonly known as Hexadecenoic Acid or Methyl Palmitate, is a sixteen-carbon chain with the chemical formula of C₁₆H₃₂O₂; it is one of the most common saturated fatty acids within plants, humans, animals, microbial (bacteria), fungal, and marine organisms and constitutes 16 to 45 % of the lipid profile. It is a white solid with a crystalline appearance, colorless and odorless compound. Palmitic Acid is commonly referred to as triglyceride or triacylglycerol (TAG) because the glycerol molecule has three hydroxyl groups to which the fatty acid can be attached. All fats and oils are esters of glycerol and fatty acids.

Palmitic Acid is the most abundant saturated fatty Acid in human nutrition and represents about 17.6g per day in a diet.

It is also the first Acid produced during lipogenesis. During this process, glucose is converted to fatty acids, which then react with glycerol to produce triacylglycerols. Palmitic Acid mainly occurs as its ester in triglycerides, especially in palm oil (40-44 %) but also in lard (20-30 %) and dairy products (25-40 %). Palmitic Acid is also found in various plants with high amounts of coconut oil.

Palmitic Acid is water-insoluble and slightly soluble in ethanol and iced acetone; it is highly soluble in alcohol, heated acetone, and chloroform.

One of the main applications of Palmitic Acid in the food industry has been the formulation of interesterified fats, used to replace trans fats in breast milk, native lard, enzyme-directed, and randomly chemically interesterified plant fats.

Besides its utilization in the food industry, it also has utilities ranging from inks to antioxidants application, waterproofing in the textile industry, candle manufacture, paraffin, and liquid crystal, and is generally used in the electronic industry as well.

Palmitic Acid can participate in several chemical reactions, which include:

Neutralization reactions: Palmitic Acid reacts with a hard base, forming a salt of Palmitic Acid and water.

Those salts have vast applications in the ink industry, lubricants, and insulation agents that protect against corrosive water action.

Esterification reaction: direct reaction of Palmitic Acid and monohydric alcohol obtaining an ester or by a reaction between a salt of Palmitic Acid and a haloalkane.

Many cosmetics, shampoos, and commercialized beauty products contain Palmitic Acid, providing the structure and substance of gel or reagent.

Palmitic Acid Offerings at Lab Alley

Lab Alley has Palmitic Acid in the following grades and proofs:

• Palmitic Acid Lab Grade

Common Uses and Applications

• Texturing agent for food
• Waxy cover for fruits and vegetables
• Surfactant in cosmetics
• Soaps and detergents intermediate
• Emulsifiers for facial creams and lotions
• Fruit Wax formulations
• Raw material for emulsifiers
• Anionic and nonionic surfactants

Industries

• Personal Care
• Waxes
• Chemical Industry (Surfactants And Esters)
• Food And Beverage
• Soaps And Detergents