Definition and Usage of Oleic acid

Oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid found in nature as glycerine ester in many plant oils and 30% in animal fats. Oleic acid, which has two crystal structures, represented by the chemical formula C17H33COOH, is the most important of the unsaturated fatty acids. Beta oleic acid melts at 16.3 degrees, alpha oleic acid melts at 13.4 degrees. There is one double bond between the ninth and tenth carbons of the molecule. It is a light yellow, monounsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms from the omega 9 series, which is sufficiently present in the cell membrane structure. It is a sub-product of stearic acid production in industry. It is produced from the liquid obtained from fatty acid jellies under pressure. It can be distilled at low pressure and gives off a bitter odor under the influence of air. C18H34O2 bonds two hydrogen atoms and turns into stearic acid. It can be converted to elaidic acid with nitric acid.

Fatty acid insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, well soluble in ether and most organic solvents. Since it is an unsaturated fatty acid, it gives addition reactions. Bromine gives the adduct. C18H34O2 is present in the composition of olive oil at a rate of 71-91%. It is also found in vegetable oils such as hazelnut oil and sunflower oil.

Fatty acids (or salts) are not seen as often as in biological systems. Instead, fatty acids such as oleic acid are found as esters, which are fatty substances in many natural oils, usually triglycerides. Fatty acids can be obtained through the saponification process.

Oleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in human adipose tissue, and second only to palmitic acid in abundance in the human body.

Usage areas

• Oleic acid obtained from the hydrolysis of oils, zinc or aromatic sulfanic acid is used as a catalyst in hydrolysis.
• The acid separated as free acid is cooled and removed by pressing. It is then purified by fractional distillation at reduced pressure.
• It is mostly used in soap making, medicine, polish production, leather and textiles. It is the raw material of the soap industry.
• Studies have shown that as a monounsaturated fatty acid, it reduces the risk of high blood pressure and protects against cardiovascular diseases by balancing cholesterol.
• It also reduces the insulin requirement of diabetics and has a protective effect against cancer types.
• When this fatty acid is treated with traces of HNO2, it is used to produce solid elaidic acid. It is used as an amine lubricating agent in ink production.
• Oleic acid is also used to induce lung damage in some animal species, to test new drugs, and to use other tools to treat lung diseases.
• Especially in sheep, intravenous administration of oleic acid causes acute lung injury with corresponding pulmonary edema. Such investigations are particularly useful for premature neonates for whom treatment for underdeveloped lungs (and associated complications) is often a matter of life and death.