Elaiidate

Elaiidate is the common name for the anion derived from elaidic acid. Elaidic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid with the formula CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH. It is a trans-fatty acid, meaning that the hydrogen atoms attached to the double bond are on opposite sides of the carbon chain. This contrasts with its cis isomer, oleic acid, where the hydrogen atoms are on the same side.

The elaiidate anion is formed when elaidic acid loses a proton from its carboxylic acid group. This process typically occurs in basic solutions. The elaiidate anion is the conjugate base of elaidic acid. Like other fatty acid anions, elaiidates can form salts with various cations, such as sodium, potassium, or calcium. These salts are generally more soluble in water than their parent fatty acids.

Elaiidate is found in trace amounts in some animal products and can be formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils, a process that converts cis fatty acids into trans fatty acids. The presence of elaiidate and other trans fats in the diet has been a subject of significant health and regulatory attention due to their association with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Industrial processes that produce partially hydrogenated oils have been modified or phased out in many regions to reduce the dietary intake of trans fats.