Palmitates

Palmitates are salts or esters of palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid), a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid. The term commonly refers to alkali or metal salts such as sodium palmitate and potassium palmitate, as well as esters of palmitic acid, including methyl palmitate and cetyl palmitate. Palmitic acid is a major component of many natural fats and oils, particularly palm oil and animal fats.

Palmitates occur in natural lipids as both free fatty acids and the esterified forms found in triglycerides and phospholipids. Common palmitate esters include glycerides with one or more palmitoyl groups; cetyl palmitate and other palmityl esters are used in cosmetics as emollients and waxes. In industry, metal palmitates and sodium palmitate are used in soaps and detergents.

In biochemistry, palmitoyl groups can be covalently attached to proteins in a post-translational modification known as S-palmitoylation, where palmitoyl-CoA transfers a palmitoyl group to cysteine residues. This modification influences protein localization and signaling.

Dietary palmitate is a common saturated fatty acid found in many foods. Its intake is associated with changes in blood lipid profiles in some individuals, and health effects depend on overall dietary patterns. Palmitic acid is also studied in metabolic contexts for its role in lipogenesis, lipotoxicity, and cellular stress under certain conditions.

Overall, palmitates describe a family of palmitic-acid-derived substances important in nutrition, biochemistry, and industrial applications.