Stearic acid

Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. The IUPAC name for stearic acid is octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid and its chemical formula is C17H35CO2H. Stearic acid is one of the most common long-chain fatty acids, found in combined form in natural animal and vegetable fats. Commercial stearic acid is often a mixture of stearic and palmitic acids, although purified stearic acid is available.

Sources and uses

In terms of its biosynthesis, stearic acid is produced from carbohydrates via the fatty acid synthesis machinery via acetyl-CoA. Stearic acid is mainly used in the production of detergents, soaps, and cosmetics such as shampoos and shaving cream products. Soaps are not made directly from stearic acid, but indirectly by saponification of triglycerides consisting of stearic acid esters. Esters of stearic acid with ethylene glycol, glycol stearate, and glycol distearate are used to produce a pearly effect in shampoos, soaps, and other cosmetic products.

Health effects

In general, the applications of stearic acid exploit its bifunctional character, with a polar head group that can be attached to metal cations and a nonpolar chain that confers solubility in organic solvents. The combination leads to uses as a surfactant and softener.

See also

• List of saturated fatty acids
• List of carboxylic acids

References

Stearic acid Resources
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