Oleic Acid

Oleic Acid is a fatty acid that occurs naturally in various animal and vegetable fats and oils. It is an odorless, colorless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. In chemical terms Oleic Acid is classified as a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid.

The principal use of oleic acid is as a component in many foods, in the form of its triglycerides. Oleic acid as its sodium salt is a major compontnt of soap as an emulsifying agent. It is also used as an emollient, small amounts of oleic acid are used as am excipient in pharmaceuticals, and it is used as an emulsifying or solublizing agent in aerosol products.