margaric acid

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble, fatty acid, C 1 7 H 3 4 O 2 , resembling stearic acid, obtained from lichens or synthetically.

margaric acid

noun

1. another name for heptadecanoic acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of margaric acid¹

1810–20; < Greek márgar ( on ) pearl (probably back formation from margarī́tēs; margarite ) + -ic

Example Sentences

When the researchers looked at fatty acids in the bloodstream, for example, they found that margaric acid, a saturated fat in milk and dairy products, was associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

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The stearine contains the stearic and margaric acids, which, when separated, are solid, and used as inferior substitutes for wax or spermaceti candles.

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Margaric Acid is best obtained pure by boiling olive oil with an alkali until it is saponified, and decomposing the soap with an acid, expressing the margaric acid, which separates, and crystallising it from alcohol.

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Mix these perfectly with the above-mentioned stearic or margaric acids, and carbonated alkali; then add a strong solution of caustic potash or soda, until a perfect saponification is produced.

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It is a crystalline solid less fusible than margaric acid, but closely resembling it in its other properties.

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