Record Information
Version1.0
Creation date2015-10-09 22:28:52 UTC
Update date2017-01-19 02:36:14 UTC
FoodComEx IDPC000151
FoodDB RecordFDB002890
Chemical Information
NameTetradecanoic acid
DescriptionMyristic acid, also known as tetradecanoic acid or C14:0, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as long-chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 13 and 21 carbon atoms.. Myristic acid is a very hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble in water, and relatively neutral. It has a waxy, fatty or soapy odor and a fatty, creamy or cheesy taste. Myristic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. Myristic acid is a naturally occurring saturated fatty acid found in most animal and vegetable fats. Some of the highest levels of myristic acid are found in nutmeg. In particular, nutmeg butter has 75% trimyristin, the triglyceride of myristic acid. Besides nutmeg, myristic acid is also found in palm kernel oil, coconut oil, butterfat, 8–14% of bovine milk, and 8.6% of breast milk as well as being a minor component of many other animal fats. It also comprises 14.49% of the fats from the fruit of the Durian species. Industrially myristic acid is used as an ingredient in soaps and cosmetics (From Dorland, 28th ed). In many eukaryotes (including humans), myristic acid is commonly added to the N-terminal glycine residue in receptor-associated kinases to confer membrane localization of the enzyme. This is achieved by the myristic acid having a high enough hydrophobicity to become incorporated into the fatty acyl core of the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane of the eukaryotic cell (Wikipedia). Some research has pointed to myristic acid's positive effects on regulating HDL cholesterol and hence improving the HDL (good cholesterol) to total cholesterol ratio (PMID: 7644455).
CAS Number544-63-8
Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
SynonymSource
1-TetradecanecarboxylateGenerator
1-Tetradecanecarboxylic acidChEBI
1-Tridecanecarboxylatebiospider
1-Tridecanecarboxylic acidbiospider
14:0ChEBI
Acide tetradecanoiqueChEBI
CH3-[CH2]12-COOHChEBI
Crodacidbiospider
FEMA 2764db_source
Myristatebiospider
Myristic acidChEBI
Myristic acid pureHMDB
Myristic acid, 8CIdb_source
MyristinsaeureChEBI
MyristoateHMDB
Myristoic acidHMDB
N-Tetradecan-1-oatebiospider
N-Tetradecan-1-oic acidbiospider
N-Tetradecanoatebiospider
N-Tetradecanoic acidbiospider
N-TetradecoateGenerator
N-Tetradecoic acidbiospider
Tetradecanoatebiospider
Tetradecanoic (myristic) acidHMDB
TetradecoateGenerator
Tetradecoic acidbiospider
Chemical FormulaC14H28O2
IUPAC nametetradecanoic acid
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/C14H28O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14(15)16/h2-13H2,1H3,(H,15,16)
InChI KeyTUNFSRHWOTWDNC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Isomeric SMILESCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(O)=O
Average Molecular Weight228.3709
Monoisotopic Molecular Weight228.20893014
Chemical Taxonomy
Description Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as long-chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 13 and 21 carbon atoms.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassLipids and lipid-like molecules
ClassFatty Acyls
Sub ClassFatty acids and conjugates
Direct ParentLong-chain fatty acids
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Long-chain fatty acid
  • Straight chain fatty acid
  • Monocarboxylic acid or derivatives
  • Carboxylic acid
  • Carboxylic acid derivative
  • Organic oxygen compound
  • Organic oxide
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Organooxygen compound
  • Carbonyl group
  • Aliphatic acyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic acyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Physico-Chemical Properties - Experimental
PropertyValueReference
Experimental logP6.11SANGSTER (1993)
Experimental Water Solubility0.00107 mg/mL at 25 oCYALKOWSKY,SH & DANNENFELSER,RM (1992)
Melting PointMp 54°DFC
Foods of Origin
FoodContent Range AverageReference
FoodReference
Production Data
Production Methodcommercial
Production Method ReferenceNot Available
Production Method Reference FileNot Available
Quantity AvailableProduction upon request, up to 1 g
Delivery TimeNot Available
Storage Formsolid
Storage Conditions-80°C
StabilityNot Available
PurityNot Available
Spectra
Spectral Data Upon RequestNot Available
Provider Information
Contact NameContact InstitutionContact Email
Rosa Vazquez Fresnovazquezf@ualberta.ca
Commercial Vendors
AKSci S161
Cayman Chemical 13351
MetaSci HMDB0000806
Sigma-Aldrich HMDB0000806
Toronto Research Chemicals M884610