Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in animal and vegetable fats that is frequently used in cosmetics, candles, soaps, plastics, oil pastels, and for softening rubber. Stearic acid ethyl ester (ethyl stearate) is the neutral, more lipid soluble form of the free acid. It perturbs the cell cycle and induces apoptosis in Hep-G2 cells and is a marker of excessive alcohol consumption that can be isolated from an individual’s hair.1,2
1
Aydin, A., Celik, H.A., Deveci, R., et al. Induction of apoptosis by fatty acid ethyl esters in HepG2 cells. Food Chem Toxicol43139-145(2005).
2
Hartwig, S., Auwärter, V., and Pragst, F. Fatty acid ethyl esters in scalp, public, axillary, beard and body hair as markers for alcohol misuse. Alcohol Alcohol38(2)163-167(2003).
Synonyms
Ethyl Stearate
Ethyl Octadecanoate
NSC 8919
Formal Name
octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester
CAS Number
111-61-5
Molecular Formula
C20H40O2
Formula Weight
312.5
Formulation
A solution in ethanol
Purity
>98%
Stability
1 year
Storage
-20°C
Shipping
Wet ice
in continental US; may vary elsewhere
SMILES
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CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(OCC)=O
Background Reading
Aydin, A., Celik, H.A., Deveci, R., et al. Induction of apoptosis by fatty acid ethyl esters in HepG2 cells. Food Chem Toxicol43139-145(2005).
Hartwig, S., Auwärter, V., and Pragst, F. Fatty acid ethyl esters in scalp, public, axillary, beard and body hair as markers for alcohol misuse. Alcohol Alcohol38(2)163-167(2003).
Stearic Acid ethyl ester is available in the following screening
library: