Interesting facts
Interesting Facts about Palmitic Acid
Palmitic acid is a fascinating fatty acid and one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants. Let’s explore some intriguing aspects of this compound:
- Natural Source: Palmitic acid is primarily derived from natural fats and oils, particularly in palm oil. It makes up a significant portion of the composition of human adipose tissue.
- Biological Importance: This fatty acid plays a crucial role in several biological processes, including:
- Cell membrane integrity
- Energy storage
- Regulation of gene expression
- Industrial Applications: Palmitic acid is utilized in a variety of industries:
- Cosmetics: It is often used as a thickening agent and emollient in lotions and creams.
- Food: It serves as a food additive to enhance flavor and texture.
- Chemicals: It is a precursor for various chemical compounds, including surfactants and detergents.
- Health Considerations: While palmitic acid is a source of energy, there is ongoing debate regarding its health implications. Some studies suggest a potential link between high intake of saturated fats and increased cholesterol levels, yet it is also noted that it can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
- Fun Fact: The name "palmitic" is derived from the palm tree, whose seeds are rich sources of this fatty acid. Thus, it was first identified in palm oil!
Overall, palmitic acid is not just a simple fatty acid; it is an essential compound with a wide-ranging influence on health, industry, and biology. As researchers continue to study its effects, the significance of palmitic acid in both our diet and industrial applications remains a key area of interest.
Synonyms
palmitic acid
Hexadecanoic acid
57-10-3
Cetylic acid
palmitate
n-Hexadecanoic acid
Hexadecylic acid
1-Pentadecanecarboxylic acid
Hydrofol
n-Hexadecoic acid
Palmitinic acid
hexaectylic acid
Pentadecanecarboxylic acid
1-Hexyldecanoic Acid
Industrene 4516
Emersol 140
Emersol 143
Hystrene 8016
Hystrene 9016
hexadecoic acid
Palmitinsaeure
Palmitic acid, pure
Palmitic acid 95%
Kortacid 1698
FEMA No. 2832
Loxiol EP 278
Palmitic acid (natural)
Hydrofol Acid 1690
Cetyl acid
Prifac 2960
C16:0
HSDB 5001
Pristerene 4934
Pristerene-4934
Edenor C16
NSC 5030
AI3-01594
Lunac P 95KC
Lunac P 95
Lunac P 98
CCRIS 5443
Prifac-2960
CHEBI:15756
NSC5030
NSC-5030
EINECS 200-312-9
MFCD00002747
UNII-2V16EO95H1
FA 16:0
BRN 0607489
Palmitic acid (NF)
DTXSID2021602
Glycon P-45
IMEX C 1498
Hexadecanoic--d5 Acid
2V16EO95H1
Hexadecanoic acid (9CI)
Palmitic acid (7CI,8CI)
CHEMBL82293
DTXCID101602
1219802-61-5
CH3-[CH2]14-COOH
EC 200-312-9
4-02-00-01157 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
n-hexadecoate
LMFA01010001
PA 900
EDENOR C 16-98-100
FA 1695
SURFAXIN COMPONENT PALMITIC ACID
1-hexyldecanoate
NCGC00164358-01
LUCINACTANT COMPONENT PALMITIC ACID
pentadecanecarboxylate
Hexadecanoic acid 10 microg/mL in Acetonitrile
HEXADECANOIC-11,11,12,12-D4 ACID
PALMITIC ACID (II)
PALMITIC ACID [II]
PALMITIC ACID (MART.)
PALMITIC ACID [MART.]
CH3-(CH2)14-COOH
Palmitic acid; Hexadecanoic acid
PLM
palmic acid
Hexadecanoate (n-C16:0)
PALMITIC ACID (EP MONOGRAPH)
PALMITIC ACID [EP MONOGRAPH]
Acid, Palmitic
CAS-57-10-3
Acid, Hexadecanoic
HEXADECANOIC-9,9,10,10,11,11,12,12,13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,16-D17 ACID
SR-01000944716
Palmitic acid [USAN:NF]
palmitoate
Hexadecoate
Palmitinate
Palmitinsaure
palmitic-acid
palmitoic acid
Hexadecanoicacid
Aethalic acid
Hexadecanoic acid Palmitic acid
2hmb
2hnx
Palmitic acid_jeyam
n-Hexadecyclic Acid
fatty acid 16:0
Palmitic Acid, FCC
Kortacid 1695
Palmitic acid_RaGuSa
Univol U332
Prifrac 2960
Hexadecanoic acid anion
3v2q
Palmitic acid (Standard)
Palmitic acid, >=99%
bmse000590
Epitope ID:141181
CETYL ACID [VANDF]
PALMITIC ACID [MI]
SCHEMBL6177
PALMITIC ACID [DSC]
PALMITIC ACID [FCC]
PALMITIC ACID [FHFI]
PALMITIC ACID [HSDB]
PALMITIC ACID [USAN]
FAT
WLN: QV15
1-MONOPALMITIN_met001
P5585_SIGMA
PALMITIC ACID [VANDF]
GTPL1055
QSPL 166
PALMITIC ACID [USP-RS]
PALMITIC ACID [WHO-DD]
(1(1)(3)C)hexadecanoic acid
Cetylic acid;N-Hexadecanoic acid
HY-N0830R
MSK1714
1b56
HMS3649N08
Palmitic acid, analytical standard
Palmitic acid, BioXtra, >=99%
HY-N0830
Palmitic acid, natural, 98%, FG
YWB02249
Tox21_112105
Tox21_201671
Tox21_302966
AC9381
BBL011563
BDBM50152850
s3794
STL146733
Palmitic acid, >=95%, FCC, FG
AKOS005720983
Tox21_112105_1
1ST1714
CCG-267027
CR-0047
DB03796
FP49793
Palmitic acid, for synthesis, 98.0%
NCGC00164358-02
NCGC00164358-03
NCGC00256424-01
NCGC00259220-01
BP-27917
MSK1714-1000
SY006518
CS-0009861
NS00008548
P0002
P1145
Palmitic acid, SAJ first grade, >=95.0%
EN300-19603
1ST1714-1000
C00249
D05341
Palmitic acid, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 98%
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF SPIRULINA)
Palmitic acid, >=98% palmitic acid basis (GC)
Q209727
Hexadecanoic acid Solution in Methanol, 1000?g/mL
Hexadecanoic acid Solution in Methanol, 1000mug/mL
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF FLAX SEED OIL)
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF SAW PALMETTO)
SR-01000944716-1
SR-01000944716-2
BA71C79B-C9B1-451A-A5BE-B480B5CC7D0C
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF BORAGE SEED OIL)
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF SPIRULINA) [DSC]
F0001-1488
Z104474418
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL)
PALMITIC ACID (CONSTITUENT OF SAW PALMETTO) [DSC]
Palmitic acid, certified reference material, TraceCERT(R)
Palmitic acid, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Palmitic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
Palmitic acid, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
200-312-9
Sodium Palmitate, Palmitic acid sodium salt, Sodium hexadecanoate, Sodium pentadecanecarboxylate, HSDB 759
Solubility of Palmitic Acid (C16H32O2)
Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid, exhibits interesting solubility characteristics that are influenced by its long hydrocarbon chain. When examining the solubility of palmitic acid, several key points arise:
To summarize, the characteristic long hydrocarbon chain of palmitic acid results in limited water solubility while enabling appreciable solubility in organic solvents. Understanding these solubility properties is crucial for applications in food science, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. "The longer the chain, the less it likes water!" is a simple way to remember the hydrophobic nature of saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid.