Palmitic Acid

Palmitic Acid Hexadecanoic acid; C₁₆H₃₂O₂ = 256.4 (57-10-3)

General reagent grade of commerce.

White, crystalline scales; melting point, about 63°.

Complies with the following test.

Homogeneity Carry out test A for Identification described in the monograph for Chloramphenicol Palmitate applying to the plate 4 µL of a 0.2% w/v solution in acetone. The chromatogram shows only one principal spot.

Palmitic acid used in the assay of total fatty acids in Saw palmetto fruit complies with the following additional test.

Assay Examine by gas chromatography (2.2.28) as prescribed in the monograph on Saw palmetto fruit.

The content of palmitic acid is not less than 98%, calculated by the normalisation procedure.