Industrial grade，Food Grade 99% Oleic acid CAS 112-80-1

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. Oleic acid is the major component of edible oils, such as olive oil and tea oil, and the content of oleic acid in olive oil is more than 70 %.

In terms of molecular makeup, oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid containing a long chain of 18 carbons with a cis double bond at carbon 9 (CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH). Oleic acid is an essential nutrient for the human body, a vital component of cell membranes and studies have shown that it helps lower LDL cholesterol, and is beneficial to cardiovascular health.In food systems, it is also an important raw material for emulsifiers and functional oils—this dual value of "nutrition + function" forms the basis for its widespread application in edible oils and the food industry.

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. It should be stored in a sealed container away from light, fire, and oxidizers.

Food-grade oleic acid is the oleic acid products which are used in the food processing. When used as a food ingredient or food additive, it shall meet the relevant food safety standards. When compared to industrial grade oleic acid, the following indices of food grade products are more concerned:

acid value

The acid value (normally 190-210) is a key indicator for measuring product quality and reflects the content and purity of free fatty acids. It must be of food-grade quality.

Saponification value and Iodine value

The iodine value shows the degree of unsaturation and the saponification value shows the composition of the fatty acids and both should conform to the specifications of the food grade.

Heavy metal limits (lead, arsenic, etc.)

For instance, food products have strict limits for harmful impurities, such as heavy metals, which are important safety indicators.

Moisture

Excess moisture content can affect the stability and storage quality of oils and fats and should be kept at a low level.

Colour and Smell

The sensory quality of the food should be light in colour and odourless.

What are the uses of food-grade oleic acid?

1. Edible oil components (core application)

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

2. Raw materials of food emulsifiers

Oleic acid is an important raw material for food emulsifier production. For example, glyceryl oleate (a monoglyceride) is widely used in the emulsification and stabilisation of baked products, margarine and ice cream, helping to make oil-water systems uniform and stable and improve the texture of products.

3. 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.

4. Nutrition and Health Foods

Oleic acid is one of the most important monounsaturated Omega-9 fatty acids. Studies have shown that it helps lower LDL cholesterol and is good for heart health. High-oleic oils are used in the production of healthy edible oils and functional foods.

5. Food processing aids (release agents)

Oleic acid and its esters can act as release agents for bakery products, making it easier to demold pastries after baking, thus improving the efficiency of food processing and the appearance of the food.

6. Cosmetics and skin care products

Oleic acid and derivatives are used as a soap base, emulgator and moisturising agent in cosmetics. The facial cleansers and skin care products we use may contain oleic acid derivatives.

7. Plastic products (indirect contact)

Oleic acid is used as a plasticizer and lubricant in plastics. Oleic acid derivatives are also used in the synthesis of engineering plastics such as nylon 8 and nylon 9. The production chain of the plastic products we use may involve it.

8. Printed materials and ink (indirect contact)

Oleic acid is used in the formulation of printing inks and as a paint drier (lead, manganese, and cobalt salts of oleic acid). The production chain of printed materials and paints may indirectly involve it.

9. Textile fabrics (indirect contact)

Oleic acid is used as a raw material for softening agents, fabric softeners, and waterproofing agents in the textile industry. Some of the fabrics we wear may indirectly involve oleic acid in their processing chain.

Summarize

Oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid) is a naturally occurring monounsaturated Omega-9 fatty acid that is colourless to pale yellow. It is one of the most abundant fatty acids in nature and a major component of high-quality edible oils such as olive oil and tea oil, and is beneficial to cardiovascular health. We find it in everyday life in the supply chain of edible oils, soaps and detergents, cosmetics, plastic products, printing inks and textiles. Oleic acid of food grade is widely used in the food industry as the main component (core) of high-oleic edible oils, a raw material for food emulsifiers (oleic acid glycerides), a defoamer in food processing, a functional oil, and a release agent for baked goods. It is a valuable component of edible oils, with both nutritional and functional value.