Tetracosanoic acid

Tetracosanoic acid, also known as lignoceric acid, is a saturated fatty acid that is commonly found in wood tar, various cereals, and certain types of wax. It is a long-chain fatty acid, with a chain length of 24 carbon atoms.

Chemical Structure

The chemical formula of tetracosanoic acid is C24H48O2. It consists of a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end of the molecule and a methyl group (-CH3) at the other end, with 22 methylene groups (-CH2-) in between. This structure is typical of saturated fatty acids, which have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their chains.

Sources and Uses

Tetracosanoic acid is found in a variety of natural sources. It is a major component of wood tar, a byproduct of the pyrolysis of wood. It is also found in certain types of wax, such as carnauba wax and beeswax, and in various cereals, including wheat and rye.

In industry, tetracosanoic acid is used in the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and lubricants. It is also used as a surfactant in various cleaning products.

Health Effects

As a saturated fatty acid, tetracosanoic acid is generally considered to be less healthy than unsaturated fatty acids. However, it is not typically a major component of the human diet, so its health effects are not well-studied. Some research suggests that it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.

See Also

• Fatty acid
• Saturated fat
• Unsaturated fat
• Pyrolysis
• Carnauba wax
• Beeswax