Palmitic acid

Palmitic acid (CAS 57-10-3) is a saturated C16 fatty acid derived primarily from palm oil and animal fats; a foundational raw material for food, personal care and industrial manufacturing.

Where is Palmitic acid used?

• Food: flavoring component and building block for emulsifier synthesis, including mono- and diglycerides for baked goods and margarines
• Personal care: soaps, cleansers and skin-conditioning emollients
• Metalworking and industrial lubricants: boundary lubrication and metal surface adhesion in cutting fluids and greases
• Chemical intermediate for surfactants, esters and fatty acid derivatives in detergents and coatings
• It functions as an emulsifier, lubricant and surface-active agent.

Good to know: FEMA 2832 confirms its recognized use as a flavoring agent. FCC and USP grades are available for regulated food and pharmaceutical applications.

Commercial specifications

• Minimum purity of 98% is standard for most commercial grades
• Higher-purity fractions available
• Purity levels range from technical grade to food-grade and cosmetic-grade specifications