OIl and fatty acids

[Mitre]

Common fatty acids

Chemical Names and Descriptions of some Common Fatty Acids

Common Name

Carbon
Atoms

Double
Bonds

Scientific Name

Sources

Butyric acid

4

0

butanoic acid

butterfat

Caproic Acid

6

0

hexanoic acid

butterfat

Caprylic Acid

8

0

octanoic acid

coconut oil

Capric Acid

10

0

decanoic acid

coconut oil

Lauric Acid

12

0

dodecanoic acid

coconut oil

Myristic Acid

14

0

tetradecanoic acid

palm kernel oil

Palmitic Acid

16

0

hexadecanoic acid

palm oil

​

Coconut oil has 8 –12 carbon atoms making it a medium chain fatty acid this allows it to be absorbed into the hair shaft. Coconut oil is mainly fatty acid triglycerides in the range of twelve-to-eighteen- carbon chains. It is usually over 50% lauric acid (12 carbons). It is noted for being exceptionally light and non-greasy feeling, while still being very moisturizing. Palm kernel oil is similar in composition and properties to coconut oil. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which is abundant in coconut oil, and considered responsible for many of its health benefits. Coconut oil is about 50% lauric acid. Anyone try applying butterfat CH3CH2CH2COOH to hair to do a hot oil treatment? It is made up of short chain fatty acid so it should penetrate.



Olive oil is a longer chain fatty acid so it may not be able to be absorbed into the hair shaft. It will coat the hair preventing water from evaporating.

Oleic Acid

18

1

9-octadecenoic acid

Olive oil

​

Olive oil is pressed from olives, and is made up mostly of fatty acid oils (triglycerides). Monounsaturated oils make up about 90% of the oils in olive oil, with polyunsaturated fatty acids comprising the remainder. It also contains some vitamins (A, E, D, K) as well as some antioxidants in the form of various polyphenols. Olive oil is one of the lighter oils, with its fatty acids being predominantly composed chains containing 16-22 carbon atoms. The lightweight nature of olive oil as well as its thermal stability due to its monounsaturated fatty acids make is a highly effective moisturizer for hair.

Palmitoleic Acid

16

1

9-hexadecenoic acid

animal fats

Stearic Acid

18

0

octadecanoic acid

animal fats

Oleic Acid

18

1

9-octadecenoic acid

olive oil

Vaccenic Acid

18

1

11-octadecenoic acid

butterfat

Linoleic Acid

18

2

9,12-octadecadienoic acid

safflower oil

Alpha-Linolenic Acid
(ALA)

18

3

9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid

flaxseed (linseed)
oil

Gamma-Linolenic Acid
(GLA)

18

3

6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid

borage oil

​

C18:1
C18:1
C16:0

​

C18:0
C18:0
C18:0

​

Triglycerides

​

A lipid molecule consists of a glycerol backbone to which is attached a number of fatty acids and sometimes other types of molecules. Many of our edible, and not so edible, lipids consist of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone. These are called structure of tristearin, a triglyceride with three stearic acid radicals. Oxygen atoms are shown in red, carbon atoms as dark gray, and hydrogen atoms as blue. Tristearin is found as a minor component in many natural fats.

 

[Mitre]

the table did not come out as I wanted it to be

common name carbon atoms double bond Scientific Name Sources

 

[vangrey]

good stuff! (reminds me of chem lab)

 

[Divastate]

Interesting- now I know why my hair loves coconut oil so much