Stearic acid is one of the most common long-chain fatty acids, found in
combined form in vegetable fats. In nature stearic acid occurs
primarily as a mixed triglyceride, or fat, with other
long-chain acids and as an ester of a fatty alcohol.
It has a low level of intestinal absorption and its intake does not
negatively modify the lipid profile. For this reason, it is considered a
“neutral” fatty acid with regard to cardiovascular health.
Stearic acid is much less common than palmitic acid.
Stearic acid is found primarily as a glyceride in animal fats and oils;
lard and tallow contain approximately 10 and 20% stearic acid,
respectively. Most vegetable oils contain 1-5% stearic acid; cocoa
butter contains about 35%.
Stearic acid is mainly used in the production of detergents, soaps, and
cosmetics such as shampoos and shaving cream products. Esters of stearic
acid are used to produce a pearly effect in shampoos, soaps, and
other cosmetic products.
Saturated fatty acid of stearic acid
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