Behenic acid

Sources

At 9%, it is a major component of ben oil (or behen oil), which is extracted from the seeds of the drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera). It is so named from the Persian month Bahman, when the roots of this tree were harvested.

Behenic acid is also present in some other oils and oil-bearing plants, including rapeseed (canola) and peanut oil and skins. It is estimated that one ton of peanut skins contains 13 lb of behenic acid.

Properties

As a dietary oil, behenic acid is poorly absorbed. In spite of its low bioavailability compared with oleic acid, behenic acid is a cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acid in humans.

Uses

Commercially, behenic acid is often used to give hair conditioners and moisturizers their smoothing properties. It is also used in lubricating oils, and as a solvent evaporation retarder in paint removers. Its amide is used as an anti-foaming agent in detergents, floor polishes and dripless candles. Reduction of behenic acid yields behenyl alcohol.

Pracaxi oil (from the seeds of Pentaclethra macroloba) is a natural product with one of the highest concentrations of behenic acid, and is used in hair conditioners.

References

References

1. (2001). "Lexicon of lipid nutrition (IUPAC Technical Report)". Pure and Applied Chemistry.
2. "History of scientific nomenclature and mathematical symbols - Numericana".
3. [http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/pnutskin.htm USDA Scientists Find Treasure in Peanut Skins] {{Webarchive. link. (2006-03-23 .)
4. Nilo B Cater and Margo A Denke, January 2001, [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/1/41 Behenic acid is a cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acid in humans]. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, v 73, No. 1, pp 41-44.{{Verify credibility. (July 2009.)