Palmitic Acid

**Systematic name:** Hexadecanoic acid

**Molecular formula:** C₁₆H₃₂O₂

**Chemical formula (condensed):** CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH

**Molar mass:** 256,42 g/mol

**Information:** Palmitic acid is normally a white solid. It is a bigger fatty acid.

**Use:** It is used in cosmetics (cream production). Palmitic acid together with stearic acid is used to produce "edible" cake candles. The salt (palmitate) is used to make soap.

**Appearance:** It occurs in the form of an ester with glycerol in vegetable oils and fats (butter or palm oil). It is also found in cheese, milk and meat.