Nonacosanoic acid

Nonacosanoic acid (CAS 4250-38-8) is a long-chain saturated fatty acid with 29 carbon atoms, occurring naturally in plant waxes and certain biological matrices. In industry, it functions as a rheology modifier and lubricant. It also serves as a surface-active agent across personal care, food, and coating applications. In personal care formulations, it contributes to texture control and film-forming properties in creams, balms, and waxy solid formats.

Coating and adhesive manufacturers incorporate it to modify surface wetting behavior and improve substrate adhesion in specialty formulations. As a lubricant component, it is evaluated in systems requiring high-melting chemistry. This low-migration fatty acid is essential for specific industrial processes. Food-grade applications include its use as a processing aid or surface modifier where long-chain fatty acid functionality is required under regulatory frameworks.

Nonacosanoic acid is typically supplied as a white to off-white powder or waxy solid. It is available in research-grade and technical-grade quantities, with supply predominantly through specialty chemical and fine chemical distributors. Bulk availability is limited compared to more common even-chain fatty acids. It is most commonly sourced in smaller lot sizes for formulation development and research purposes to ensure precise chemical performance in niche markets.