The spelling of "oleic acid" is derived from the Latin word "oleum" meaning "oil." It is pronounced /əʊˈleɪɪk ˈæsɪd/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with stress on the second syllable "le". The "o" in "oleic" is pronounced as the schwa sound, /ə/, followed by a long "o" sound, /əʊ/. The "ei" in "oleic" is pronounced like the letter "ay", /eɪ/. The "c" in "acid" is pronounced as the hard "c" sound, /k/. Oleic acid is a fatty acid found in many oils, including olive oil.
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that belongs to the family of carboxylic acids. It is categorized as a long-chain fatty acid due to its long hydrocarbon chain, which consists of 18 carbon atoms. Oleic acid is often found in plant and animal fats, oils, and certain foods such as olive oil, canola oil, and avocados. It is highly abundant in nature and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes.
From a chemical standpoint, oleic acid is identified by its chemical formula C₁₇H₃₃COOH. It possesses a single carbon-carbon double bond, which is located at the ninth carbon atom from the carboxyl group. This double bond contributes to its monounsaturated nature, meaning it contains only one double bond in its molecular structure.
Oleic acid offers numerous health benefits and is considered a healthy dietary fat. It is known to help reduce inflammation, improve heart health by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol levels, and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol levels. Additionally, oleic acid is involved in cell signaling pathways, assists in maintaining the structural integrity of cell membranes, and exhibits antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Overall, oleic acid is an essential fatty acid that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being.
Acidum oleicum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "oleic" comes from the Latin word "oleum", which means "oil". The term "oleic acid" is derived from the fact that this type of acid is primarily found in various oils, such as olive oil.