Palmitic acid ethyl ester

Description

Palmitic acid ethyl ester, also known as ethyl palmitate, it the ethyl ester form of palmitic acid. It can be used as a hair- and skin-conditioning agent. It has been shown that the combination between palmitic acid ethyl ester and cobra venom factor can enhance the survival of heterologous erythrocyte. Recent study has also demonstrated the potential anti-inflammatory activity of palmitic acid ethyl ester in several animal models.

Chemical Properties

Ethyl palmitate has a mild, waxy sweet odor. It is nearly tasteless and has a creamy mouthfeel.

Chemical Properties

clear colorless oily liquid after melting

Occurrence

Reported found in mutton, rye bread, rice, bourbon, vanilla, red sage, lemon balm, bilberry, Parmesan cheese, maple syrup, Jamaican rum, whiskey, grape wine, cognac, cocoa, green tea, mango, corn oil and mastic gum leaf oil.

Uses

Ethyl palmitate acts as a lubricant on the skins surfaces in order to get a soft and smooth appearance. It increases cytosolic Ca2+ concentration leading to pancreatic acinar cell injury due to excessive consumption of ethanol.

Uses

A fatty acid found in Amaranth oil; it shows inhibitory activity.

Definition

ChEBI: Ethyl hexadecanoate is a long-chain fatty acid ethyl ester resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of palmitic acid with the hydroxy group of ethanol. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a hexadecanoate ester and a long-chain fatty acid ethyl ester.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 2 ppm

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 30 ppm: waxy, fruity, creamy and fermented with a vanilla, balsamic nuance.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron, 48, p. 8775, 1992 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4020(01)89450-3

General Description

Ethyl palmitate is a one of the major volatile compounds found in cooked rice and Luzhou-flavor raw liquor. It occurs naturally in licorice root and chamomile.

Safety

Palmitic acid ethyl ester, also known as Ethyl palmitate, is a versatile aromatic ester compound widely used as a food additive, fragrance ingredient and cosmetic emollient. Due to the lack of conclusive animal or human evidence, the substance is not classified as "harmful by ingestion". After ingestion, the substance may still harm personal health, especially if there is already significant damage to organs (such as liver, kidneys). Gastrointestinal discomfort may cause nausea and vomiting. However, in an occupational environment, unintentional ingestion is not considered a cause for concern. The Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Panel has evaluated the safety of palmitic acid esters. The panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that ethylhexyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate and isopropyl palmitate are safe as cosmetic ingredients.

Synthesis

Synthesized by immobilized lipase-catalyzed alcoholysis and esterification in organic solvents.

References

Beste, Russell D, and R. D. Hamlin. "Skin permeation enhancer compositions comprising a monoglyceride and ethyl palmitate." US, US6267984. 2001.
Castro, O, et al. "Mechanism of ethyl palmitate and cobra venom factor enhancement of heterologous erythrocyte survival. " Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology & Medicine Society for Experimental Biology & Medicine 147.1(1974):106.
Saeed, N. M., et al. "Anti-inflammatory activity of methyl palmitate and ethyl palmitate in different experimental rat models. " Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology 264.1(2012):84-93.