Hendecanoic acid (also known as undecanoic acid, undecylenic acid and undecylic acid) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid. Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)9COOH. It may participate in the control of triacylglycerol synthesis, and is found in breast milk and infant formula. It is known as an antifungal agent, used for the treatment of some types of fungal infections including ringworm and athlete’s foot. One of its mechanism of action is through inhibition of the morphogenesis of Candida albicans. It may also interfere with the fatty acid biosynthesis process of fungi. It is manufactured by the vacuum distillation of castor bean oil through the pyrolysis of ricinoleic acid. However, it has been generally replaced by new generation of anti-fungal medicine.
