Industry grade Food grade Oleic acid CAS 112-80-1

1. What is oleic acid?

Oleic acid, also known as oleic acid (chemical name cis-9-octadecenoic acid), is a monounsaturated Omega-9 fatty acid and one of the most widely found fatty acids in nature. It is widely present in various animal and vegetable oils. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

C18H34O2 (CAS No.: 112-80-1, molecular weight approximately 282.46)

Oleic acid is a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid at room temperature, with a lard-like odor. Its color gradually darkens upon prolonged exposure to air. It has a density of approximately 0.89–0.90 g/cm³, a melting point of approximately 13–14°C, a boiling point of approximately 286°C (13.3 kPa), a flash point of approximately 189°C (closed cup), and a refractive index of approximately 1.46. Oleic acid is sparingly soluble in water but miscible with organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, chloroform, and light gasoline. Edible oils such as olive oil and tea oil are rich in oleic acid.

From a molecular structure perspective, oleic acid is composed of a long chain of 18 carbon atoms and a cis double bond at position 9 (CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH), belonging to monounsaturated fatty acids. The carboxyl group endows it with chemical activities such as saponification and esterification, while the cis double bond endows it with fluidity and coordination ability—in cosmetics, it is a gentle and skin-friendly soap base and moisturizing ingredient; in scientific research, it is a classic surface modifier for the synthesis of nanoparticles. This characteristic of "gentle and skin-friendly + multifunctional activity" forms the basis for the widespread application of oleic acid in the daily chemical and scientific research fields.

Chemically, oleic acid is easily oxidized and rancid in air, darkening in color, and must be stored in a sealed container away from light. It possesses the general properties of carboxylic acids, can be neutralized with alkalis to form soap, can be esterified with alcohols, and its double bonds can be hydrogenated, oxidized, or halogenated. It should be stored in a sealed container away from light, fire, and oxidizing agents.

Oleic acid, excluding industrial and food grade, refers to products for cosmetic and scientific research applications, mainly cosmetic grade and other specifications. These specifications are more focused on the following indicators than the industrial and food grades:

Purity and Impurity Control

Cosmetic grade products need high content of main components and low impurities. Strictly control the harmful impurities such as heavy metals to ensure safe use.

Heavy metal limits (lead, arsenic, etc.)

Products used in cosmetics have strict limits on harmful impurities such as heavy metals, which are important safety indicators.

Acid value and iodine value

Acid value (190~210) reflects purity, and iodine value (80~100) reflects the degree of unsaturation; both must meet cosmetic-grade specifications .

Saponification value

The saponification value reflects the fatty acid composition and average molecular weight, and is an important indicator for quality control.

II . Besides industrial and food-grade, what other uses does oleic acid have?

1. Cosmetics and Personal Care (Cosmetic Grade, Core Application)

Oleic acid and its derivatives are classic raw materials in cosmetics. They are used as soap bases in facial soaps, emulsifiers and moisturizing ingredients in creams and lotions, and also as oil phase components in makeup removers. They are gentle on the skin, have a good feel, and are widely used in facial cleansing, skin care, and makeup products.

2. Edible oil components (core application)

Oleic acid is the main fatty acid in high-quality edible oils such as olive oil, tea oil, and high-oleic rapeseed oil. High-oleic oils offer greater oxidative stability and nutritional value. Oleic acid and high-oleic oils are common in the edible oil market and healthy diets.

3. Soap and surfactant raw materials (core application)

Oleic acid is an important raw material for manufacturing soap, high-grade soap and synthetic detergents. Sodium oleate has good detergency and emulsifying abilities and is used as a surfactant and emulsifier, serving the daily chemical industry extensively.

4. Scientific research and laboratory applications (reagent grade)

Oleic acid is a commonly used reagent in fatty acid chemistry and nanomaterials research. It is used as a surface modifier and stabilizer in the synthesis of nanoparticles (such as oleic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots), and is also an important reagent in biochemistry and materials science laboratories.

5. Raw materials for food emulsifiers

Oleic acid is the main raw material for the synthesis of food emulsifiers. Glyceryl oleate (monoglyceride) is used extensively in emulsifying and stabilising baked goods, margarine and ice cream. It helps in making oil-water systems uniform and stable and improves product texture.

6. Food defoamers

Oleic acid and its derivatives can be used as defoamers in food processing to help reduce foam during food production and are applied to the processing of beverages, jams and other products.

7. Nutrition and Health Foods

Oleic acid is an important monounsaturated Omega-9 fatty acid. Studies have shown that it helps lower LDL cholesterol and is good for heart health. High-oleic oils have been developed for healthy edible oils and functional foods.

8. Food processing aids (release agents)

Oleic acid and its esters are used as release agents in baked goods, which makes it easy to demold pastries after baking, and improves the efficiency and appearance of food processing.

9. Lubricants and metalworking fluids

Oleic acid and its derivatives are used as lubricating components in lubricating oils, cutting oils, and metalworking fluids to help improve lubrication and cooling performance. They are also used as thickeners for lubricating oils and raw materials for rust inhibitors, and are applied in machining and equipment lubrication.

10. Paint drying agents and coatings

Salts of oleic acid of lead, manganese and cobalt are important constituents of paint drying agents, which can speed up the drying and film formation of paint. Oleic acid is also used in the formulation of alkyd resins and inks for the coatings and printing industries.

11. Textile auxiliaries

Oleic acid is used as a softening and lining agent in the textile industry. Aluminum oleate can be used as a waterproofing agent for fabrics, helping to improve the softness and processing properties of fibers, and is applied in the textile printing and dyeing industry.

12. Mineral processing flotation collectors

Oleic acid is a commonly used oil collector in metal beneficiation, which helps mineral particles separate and enrich from the slurry and is applied in the flotation process of non-ferrous metal ores.

13. Plasticizers and Plastic Additives

Oleic acid is used as a plasticizer and lubricant for plastics. Oleic acid ester derivatives are important components of environmentally friendly plasticizers and are also used as processing aids for plastics such as PVC.

Summarize

Oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid) is a colourless to pale yellow monounsaturated Omega-9 fatty acid. It is one of the most common fatty acids in nature, with mild skin-friendly properties and nutritional value as well as multifunctional chemical activity. It is seen in daily life in the supply chain of edible oils, soaps and detergents, cosmetics, plastic products, printing inks and textiles. In addition to food and industrial sectors, cosmetic-grade oleic acid is extensively used in the facial cleaner bases, emulsification, surface modification of nanoparticles, cardiovascular health oils, and saponification reaction teaching experiments. It is a key fatty acid that links 'everyday use' to 'beauty, health and science'.