Palmitic Acid
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid found in human fats and dairy products. It is a major component of animal fats and palm oil, with specific physical and chemical properties.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Palmitic acid, C15H31.COOH, belongs to the higher fatty acids and is the main solid fatty acid found in human fats (in adults - 8.1%, in children - 28.0%); it is also found in significant quantities in cow's milk fat. When lard is saponified, it is obtained along with stearic and liquid oleic acids; after the oleic acid is pressed out, a mixture with stearic acid (so-called stearin) remains. In palm oil, palmitic acid is almost the only component of glycerides (tripalmitin); in spermaceti and wax, it is present in the form of complex esters with higher monohydric alcohols (cetyl, myricyl). Like stearic acid, palmitic acid contains a normal chain of carbon atoms. Palmitic acid does not dissolve in water, but dissolves in alcohol and ether; melting point 62.6°; specific gravity at melting point - 0.8527.
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“Palmitic Acid.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/palmitic-acid/