Heneicosanoic acid

Heneicosanoic acid (CAS 2363-71-5) is a saturated C21 straight-chain fatty acid used as a reference standard, specialty emulsifier, and functional lubricant component across food, cosmetic, and industrial formulations. Its odd-chain carbon structure makes it commercially distinct from even-chain fatty acids, supporting specific analytical and formulation roles that even-chain alternatives cannot fulfill in various applications.

In food and nutrition research, it serves as an internal standard for fatty acid profiling by GC analysis, where its odd-chain status ensures it does not interfere with naturally occurring even-chain lipid peaks. Cosmetic formulators incorporate it into emollient systems and wax blends to modify texture, spreadability, and film-forming behavior in skin-care and hair-care products for improved performance.

In lubricant formulations, it functions as a boundary lubricant additive or base component in specialty greases where controlled chain length and saturation are required for industrial machinery. It also supports lipid metabolism research as a biochemical tracer, giving it a niche but consistent demand in life science supply chains and specialized laboratory environments worldwide.

Heneicosanoic acid is supplied as a white to off-white powder or crystalline solid. It is available primarily in research-grade and high-purity analytical grades, with purity specifications typically at 98% or above. Packaging ranges from small-quantity laboratory units to bulk quantities for industrial formulators. This ensures that both small-scale research and large-scale manufacturing needs are met efficiently.