Formula C18H34O2 Molar mass 282.46 g/mol Appearance colorless waxy solid | Density 873.4 kg/m³ Boiling point 234 °C | |
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Elaidic acid is the organic compound with the formula CH3(CH2)7CHCH(CH2)7CO2H. Classified as an unsaturated fatty acid, it is a colorless oily solid. This compound has attracted attention because it is major trans fat found in hydrogenated vegetable oils, and trans fats are implicated in heart disease.
Occurrence and bioactivity
It also occurs in small amounts in caprine and bovine milk (very roughly 0.1% of the fatty acids). and some meats. It is the trans isomer of oleic acid. The name of the elaidinization reaction comes from elaidic acid.
Elaidic acid increases plasma CETP activity which lowers HDL cholesterol.
References
Elaidic acid Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA