Home » What is oleic acid? And where is it used?
Oleic acid is a type of fatty acid that is abundantly found in nature. Today, we are going to investigate this valuable substance in the electronic publication of the world of physical chemistry. This acid is known with molecular formula C18H34O2 and its molar mass is equal to 282.4614. When this compound is extracted from natural sources, it is obtained as a liquid oil.
The word oleic is derived from the word “oleum” which literally means “oil”. Also, this fatty acid is also known by names such as *Elairic acid* and *cis-9-Octadecenoic acid*.
Oleic acid is one of the unsaturated fatty acids and is found even in the fat tissue of the human body. This substance is available in the market in various grades including industrial, laboratory and edible. Also, oleic-acid is in the group of omega-9 oils and is known as one of the healthy sources of fat in the diet.
Oleic acid is a compound that is used in various fields such as health, cosmetics, food, medicine and also in various industries. This fatty acid has a significant presence in many foods such as oils, nuts, butter, eggs, nuts, cheese, meat and oilseeds. Currently, its use in the production of vegetable and edible oils such as olive oil, rapeseed oil and grape seed oil has become more widespread.
Oleic-acid is a yellow and odorless substance that belongs to the category of natural fatty acids and is known as an omega-9 fatty acid. Due to the presence of nutrients and healthy fats in this acid, many researchers recommend that it be used more in cooking and eating.
Chemical name | ا Oleic acid |
structural formula | C18H34O2 |
melting point | 286 Kelvin |
density | 0.895 gr/cm3 |
boiling point | 633 Kelvin |
Oleic acid is widely used in the health and cosmetic industries and plays a role in the production of products such as soaps and skin softening lotions. Also, this acid is used as a raw material in the preparation of food items such as sauces, spices, lemonade, ice cream and all kinds of baked products.
Oleic-acid helps heart health by reducing blood cholesterol levels and preventing them from increasing again. It plays an important role in various industries, especially in the production of colored glass. Also, this acid is one of the key ingredients in the production of some medicines and due to its healthy fat content, it can be used as part of a balanced diet. Among the other properties of this substance is regulating blood sugar and helping to lose weight in food plans.
As an anti-cancer agent, oleic-acid fights cancer cells, including breast cancer, and improves blood flow in the cardiovascular system. This acid helps to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss and treat skin problems such as eczema and rosacea. It also prevents premature aging by maintaining skin moisture and is effective in strengthening the body’s immune system and reducing internal inflammation.
This material is used in the production of detergent products due to its disinfecting properties. It is also used in the skin care industry due to its ability to prevent spoilage and increase the lifespan of products, and it is very important.
Oleic acid is produced by biosynthesis. In this process, the enzyme stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase acts on stearoyl-CoA and obtains oleic acid through the hydrogenation of stearic acid as a monooxide.
This acid, with the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohol, has the ability to dissolve in aqueous solutions, and in this way it is possible to produce alveolate soaps that add iodine to the double bond. By gradually oxidizing in the presence of air and binding to a double bond, the resulting product can be used for food compression or drying in coatings. Also, the reduction of the carboxylic group of this acid leads to the production of alcohol.
The production process of oleic-acid varies depending on its source, which is briefly as follows:
Production from plant sources:
As mentioned, oleic acid is extracted from plant products through the process of saponification. After performing the necessary steps, the temperature of the reaction reaches about 100 degrees Celsius with the help of steam. Then alkaline solution is added and hydrolysis is performed. Finally, oleic acid is separated by distillation and cooling.
Production from animal sources:
This method is costly and is usually avoided by manufacturers. Therefore, to get oleic acid from animal sources, consumption of meat and dairy products is suggested.
Laboratory production:
The easiest and most economical way to produce oleic acid is done in the laboratory. In one of the laboratory methods, alkylbenzene is converted into a mixture of fatty acids using sulfonic acid as a catalyst. By refining this mixture, oleic acid is obtained.
This material has wide applications and is used in industries such as leather, textile, production of lubricants, chemical intermediates and alkyd resins.
In detergent products:
Oleic acid is widely used in the detergent industry due to its strong foaming property and its stability in foam production, as well as its emulsifying property.
In medicine:
Due to the ability of oleic acid to reduce bad blood cholesterol, it is useful for people with underlying diseases or obesity. This acid is added to the diet of patients as a home remedy to control cholesterol, and in some cases, it is prescribed by the doctor in the form of capsules.
In cosmetics:
Oleic acid fat has softening and disinfecting properties that make it a very effective moisturizer. This acid maintains moisture for a long time due to penetration into the lower layers of the skin, unlike many lotions and creams that only remain on the surface of the skin. This feature has made oleic acid a valuable ingredient in the cosmetic industry.
In pharmaceuticals:
In the pharmaceutical industry, oleic acid is used as an additive in the composition of drugs.
In glass making:
This acid helps to improve the bond between lead and glass and is therefore used in the glass industry.
In the food industry:
By adding oleic acid to products such as salad dressings, ready meals, ice cream, and lemonades, food manufacturers increase the nutritional value of their products instead of using harmful oils and butters.
Packaging and storage of oleic acid:
This material is usually stored in 180, 190 and 220 liter barrels and one pallet is used for every four barrels. Due to the flammability of fatty acids, it is necessary to store this product in a dry place and away from sources of heat and sparks. To preserve this material, containers made of stainless steel, carbon steel, galvanized steel or carbon steel with epoxy, PVC or polyester coating are used. The standard time for safe storage of this product in covered storage is reported to be up to 24 months.
The production of this chemical compound from plant and animal sources is a complex and expensive process that requires energy, labor and a lot of money. For this reason, oleic acid is usually synthesized in laboratories and by different methods. In the following, one of these methods is explained:
First, alkylbenzene is used as a starting material and sulfonic acid is used as a catalyst or reaction accelerator. This reaction produces a mixture of fatty acids, which is necessary for the separation of oleic acid, refining and separation of this mixture.
To maintain the quality and effectiveness of oleic acid, it should be stored only in the original packaging and away from direct sunlight and low temperatures or frost. These acids are flammable and may ignite upon contact with heat sources. In case of such a situation, instead of using water, it is recommended to use other extinguishers such as carbon dioxide or dry chemical powders to control the fire.
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