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Stearic acid (/ ˈ s t ɪər ɪ k / STEER-ik, / s t i ˈ ær ɪ k / stee-ARR-ik) is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. [9] The IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. [9] It is a soft waxy solid with the formula CH 3 (CH 2) 16 CO 2 H. [9] The triglyceride derived from three molecules of stearic acid is called stearin. [9]
Saturated (Stearic acid) Elaidic acid is the main trans unsaturated fatty acid often found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. [32] Oleic acid is a cis unsaturated fatty acid making up 55–80% of olive oil. [33] Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid found in animal fats and is the intended product in full hydrogenation.
Sodium stearate (IUPAC: Sodium Octadecanoate) is the sodium salt of stearic acid. This white solid is the most common soap. It is found in many types of solid deodorants, rubbers, latex paints, and inks. It is also a component of some food additives and food flavorings. [1]
Calcium stearate is produced by heating stearic acid and calcium oxide: 2 C 17 H 35 COOH + CaO → (C 17 H 35 COO) 2 Ca + H 2 O. It is also the main component of soap scum, a white solid that forms when soap is mixed with hard water. Unlike soaps containing sodium and potassium, calcium stearate is insoluble in water and does not lather well. [2]
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that are required by humans and other animals for normal physiological function that cannot be synthesized in the body. [1] [2] As they are not synthesized in the body, the essential fatty acids – alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid – must be obtained from food or from a dietary supplement.
The C16 and C18 omega hydroxy acids 16-hydroxy palmitic acid and 18-hydroxy stearic acid are key monomers of cutin in the plant cuticle. [1] [2] The polymer cutin is formed by interesterification of omega hydroxy acids and derivatives of them that are substituted in mid-chain, such as 10,16-dihydroxy palmitic acid.
More recent investigations that specifically compared stearic acid with other fatty acids in human studies have confirmed that stearic acid is not hypercholesterolemic. Stearic acid was shown not to raise low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol relative to oleic acid, which is known to be neutral in its effects on cholesterol concentrations.
In humans, the enzyme is present in two isoforms, encoded respectively by the SCD1 and SCD5 genes. [2] [3] [4] Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 is a key enzyme in fatty acid metabolism. It is responsible for forming a double bond in stearoyl-CoA. This is how the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid is produced from the saturated fatty acid, stearic acid.