What Is Palmitic Acid? Sources, Properties, and Uses
- Palmitic acid (C16:0) is a saturated 16-carbon fatty acid with formula C16H32O2 and CAS 57-10-3, and melting point 62.5–64 °C at high purity.[1]
- It is the most common saturated fatty acid in nature and accounts for about 44% of total fat in palm oil.[2]
- It is obtained by hydrolysis/splitting of palm oil or palm stearin, then purified by fractional distillation.[1]
- It appears as white crystalline solid, flakes, or pastilles, with boiling point 351–352 °C and density 0.852 g/cm³.[1]
- It is used in soap, cosmetics, industrial mold release, food texture, fruit and vegetable wax coating, and as feedstock for surfactants and esters.[1]
Palmitic acid is the most abundant saturated fatty acid in nature and a major component of palm oil. Its stability and ease of purification make it an important feedstock for soap, cosmetic, and food industries.
Table of contents
What Is Palmitic Acid?
Palmitic acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid with 16 carbon atoms, written C16:0, with IUPAC name hexadecanoic acid. It is the most common saturated fatty acid in animals, plants, and microorganisms, and has a straight structure with no double bonds.[1][4]
Palmitic acid accounts for about 44% of total fat in palm oil, making it the main component of palm oil. In the human body it is also the most common saturated fatty acid and a building block for lipid synthesis.[2][3][5]
In the market, labels such as “Palmatic” are sometimes seen. That spelling is a typo; the correct name is Palmitic Acid.
Chemical and Physical Properties
Palmitic acid is stable because it has no double bonds. At room temperature it is a white crystalline solid, flakes, or pastilles, with a relatively high melting point. Product purity determines the melting range.[1][2]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C16H32O2 |
| Molar mass | 256.43 g/mol |
| Melting point (≥95% purity grade) | 62.5–64.0 °C |
| Melting point (90–95% industrial grade) | 58–62 °C |
| Boiling point | 351–352 °C |
| Density | 0.852 g/cm³ |
| Form | White crystals, flakes, or pastilles |
Production
Palmitic acid is obtained mainly by hydrolysis or splitting of palm oil or palm stearin, producing free fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acid blend is then purified by fractional distillation to separate palmitic acid from other fatty acids.[1]
Purity grade with minimum 95% C16 has melting point 62.5–64.0 °C, while industrial grade at 90–95% has lower melting point of 58–62 °C because other fatty acids co-crystallize.[2]
High palmitic acid content in palm oil and palm stearin gives Indonesia abundant raw material to produce palmitic acid.[1]
Uses
Palmitic acid is used as a feedstock for soap and detergent. By saponification with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide at 95–105 °C, palmitic acid yields sodium palmitate, which gives hardness and foam stability to bar soap.[1][2]
In cosmetics, palmitic acid is used as an emulsifier and texturizer in lotions, creams, and hair care products. Its mild, stable nature suits skin care formulations.[1]
In food, palmitic acid and its salts are used as texturizers that improve mouthfeel in processed foods, and as wax coatings for fruits and vegetables. Outside food, it is used as industrial mold release and as feedstock for surfactants and esters.[1][3]
Summary
Palmitic acid (C16:0) is the most common saturated fatty acid in nature with melting point 62.5–64 °C at high purity. It is obtained from splitting palm oil and palm stearin, and is used for soap, cosmetics, industrial mold release, food texture, and as feedstock for surfactants and esters.
References
- Chemxpress. Palmitic Acid (C16H32O2, CAS 57-10-3) — uses, properties, and manufacture. https://www.chemxpress.in/chemicals/palmitic-acid
- Ataman Chemicals. C16 Palmitic Acid — chemical and physical properties. https://www.atamanchemicals.com/c16-palmitic-acid_u29185/?lang=EN
- Eureka/Patsnap. Palmitic Acid Industrial Grade — production and applications. https://eureka.patsnap.com/materials/palmitic-acid-industrial
- Eureka/Patsnap. Palmitic Acid Fatty Acid — molecular structure and uses. https://eureka.patsnap.com/materials/palmitic-acid-fatty-acid
- PMC/NIH. Research advancements in palm oil nutrition — palmitic acid in palm oil. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4371640/