Pentadecanoic acid

Description

Pentadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its molecular formula is CH₃(CH₂)₁₃COOH. It is rare in nature, being found at the level of 1.2 % in the milk fat from cows . The butterfat in cows milk is its major dietary source and it is used as a marker for butterfat consumption. Pentadecanoic acid also occurs in hydrogenated mutton fat.
Pentadecanoic acid may increase mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breastfeeding.

Chemical properties

white powder

Chemical properties

White solid; waxy aroma.

Occurrence

Reported found in Herniaria incana lam. oil Greece (0.30%), Glycosmis pentaphylla (cor.) bark oil India (0.20%), Thevetia peruviana (pers.) K. Schum. flower oil Brazil (0.20%), and thyme oil Spain (0.10%).

The Uses of Pentadecanoic acid

Pentadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Pentadecanoic acid was utilized as a biomarker to examine for the intake of milk fat in relation to its metabolic risk factors. Pentadecanoic Acid that is also produced by certain plant species and acts as an toxic essential oil, which is known to exhibits potential anxiolytic, antinociceptive and antimicrobial properties.

The Uses of Pentadecanoic acid

Pentadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Pentadecanoic acid was utilized as a biomarker to examine for the intake of milk fat in relation to its metabolic risk factors. Pentadecanoic Acid that is also produced by certain plant species and acts as an toxic essential oil, which is known to exhibits potential anxiolytic, antinociceptive and antimicrobial properties.

Definition

ChEBI: Pentadecanoic acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid containing fifteen-carbon atoms. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a food component, a Daphnia magna metabolite, a human blood serum metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a pentadecanoate.

Aroma threshold values

Medium strength odor

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron Letters, 24, p. 4993, 1983 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(01)99830-2

General Description

Pentadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid, commonly present in ox bile. It is present as a phytochemical component of Indigofera suffruticosa leaves and is known to exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Purification Methods

Crystallise the acid from Et2O and distil it in vacuo. It is very hygroscopic. See the purification of palmitic acid. [Beilstein 2 IV 1147.]