Palmitic Acid, also known as hexadecanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in natural fats and oils. It is a white, waxy solid with a melting point of 61-62.5°C and a boiling point of 351.5°C. Insoluble in water, palmitic acid is slightly soluble in petroleum ether and soluble in ethanol, ether, chloroform, and acetic acid . This fatty acid is a major component of human milk fat and is also present in various plant parts and essential oils .
Palmitic Acid is used extensively in the food industry for its texture, fragrance, and neutral taste in finished products. It is a key component in the production of soaps, cosmetics, lubricating oils, waterproofing materials, and food-grade additives . In the food industry, it is found in a wide range of products including baked goods, candies, cakes, chocolate, cooking oil, margarine, and many others . It is also used in the manufacture of metallic palmitates and as a precursor in the synthesis of various chemicals .
Environmental considerations suggest that palmitic acid, due to its anionic form in the environment, is not expected to volatilize from water surfaces or dry soil and is likely to undergo biodegradation in soil and water . It is considered to have moderate bioconcentration in aquatic organisms, with an experimental bioconcentration factor of 60 . In terms of safety, palmitic acid has been shown to be a mild irritant when applied to human skin and has been implicated in various health conditions related to excess saturated fatty acids . However, it also plays an important role in early human development, being a significant component of body fat in term infants and required for the biosynthesis of lung lecithin related to fetal maturation .