Mitre
Well-Known Member
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
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
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
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
C18:1
C16:0
C18:0
C18:0
C18:0
C18:0
C18:0
Triglycerides