palmitic acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C 1 6 H 3 2 O 2 , obtained by hydrolysis from palm oil and natural fats, in which it occurs as the glyceride, and from spermaceti: used in the manufacture of soap.

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palmitic acid British  

/ pælˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. Systematic name: hexadecanoic acid.  a white crystalline solid that is a saturated fatty acid: used in the manufacture of soap and candles. Formula: (C 15 H 31 )COOH

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palmitic acid Scientific  

/ păl-mĭt′ĭk,päl-,pä-mĭt′- /

1. A saturated fatty acid occurring as combustible white crystals in many natural oils (such as spermaceti and palm oil) and fats. It is used in making soaps. Chemical formula: C ₁₆ H ₃₂ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of palmitic acid

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

palmitic acid

When it came to the mitochondria, however, DHA did not prevent the loss of function that followed exposure to palmitic acid.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2023

Animal fats with stearic acid and palmitic acid contained in meat, and the fat with butyric acid contained in butter, are examples of saturated fats.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

"The majority of studies support the concept that palmitic acid in palm oil raises LDL cholesterol," Clifton wrote in an editorial that accompanied Tholstrup's study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

From Reuters ● Nov. 15, 2011

The wax contains fatty acids such as palmitic acid, although McCreesh says that her results so far don't show any evidence of beeswax.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 19, 2011

Fatty Acids, the homologues of formic and acetic acid; so called because the members first studied were obtained from fats and oils, e.g. butyric acid from butter, stearic acid from stearin, palmitic acid from palm-oil.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various