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

Results showed the palmitic acid prompted gene expression changes linked to an increase in inflammation in both microglia and neurons, though microglia had a wider range of affected inflammatory genes.

From Science Daily • Sep. 27, 2023

Myristic and palmitic acid are saturated, while palmitoleic and oleic acids each have one C-C double bond.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Semova and Rawls chemically bonded fluorescent molecules to two common fatty acids, palmitic acid pentanoic acid, and mixed the glowing fats into the egg yolk of embryonic zebrafish.

From Scientific American • Sep. 12, 2012

"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

It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section S by Project Gutenberg