The key difference between myristic and stearic acid is that myristic acid can raise LDL cholesterol levels, whereas stearic acid can lower LDL cholesterol levels.
LDL cholesterol is “bad” cholesterol that can get collected in the walls of the blood vessels. It can raise many health concerns. Myristic acid and stearic acid are two long-chain saturated fatty acids that can affect the LDL levels in the body.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Myristic Acid
3. What is Stearic Acid
4. Myristic vs Stearic Acid in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Myristic vs Stearic Acid
What is Myristic Acid?
Myristic acid is a common saturated fatty acid having the chemical formula CH3(CH2)12.COOH. The salts and esters of this acid are commonly known as myristates or tetradecanoates. The name myristate acid was derived from the binomial name for nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) in 1841.
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Myristic Acid
The molar mass of this compound is 228.37 g/mol. It appears as a white or colorless liquid. The density of myristic acid can be given as 1.03 g/cm3 at minus temperature. The melting point of this compound is 54.4 degrees Celsius, and the boiling point can be given as 326.2 degrees Celsius. It has poor solubility in water, but it is soluble in alcohol, acetate, benzene, haloalkanes, and phenyls. Its crystal structure is monoclinic.
When considering the uses of this compound, it is commonly added to the N-terminus glycerin in receptor-associated kinases to confer the membrane localization of the enzyme. It has a sufficiently high hydrophobicity to become incorporated into the fatty acyl core of the phospholipid bilayer of the plasm membrane of the eukaryotic cell.
What is Stearic Acid?
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid having the chemical formula C17H35CO2H. It has a carbon chain with 18 carbon atoms. The IUPAC name of this compound is octadecanoic acid. This acid appears as a white waxy substance. The salts and other derivatives of stearic acid are named stearates. This acid has a pungent oily odor.
We can obtain stearic acid through the saponification of fats and oils. The triglycerides in the fat and oil undergo saponification in the presence of hot water. The resultant compound mixture should be distilled to obtain pure acid. However, commercially available stearic acid is actually a mixture of stearic acid and palmitic acid.
Figure 02: Crystallized Stearic Acid
When considering the uses of stearic acid, it is important as a surfactant and as a softening agent due to the presence of a polar head group that can get attached to metal cations. It also has a nonpolar chain, which makes it possible to dissolve in organic solvents.
What is the Difference Between Myristic and Stearic Acid?
Both myristic acid and stearic acid are long-chain saturated fatty acids. Myristic acid is a common saturated fatty acid having the chemical formula CH3(CH2)12.COOH. Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid having the chemical formula C17H35CO2H. The key difference between myristic and stearic acid is that myristic acid can raise LDL cholesterol, whereas stearic acid can lower LDL cholesterol. Both these have many different uses in different industries.
The below infographic presents the differences between myristic and stearic acid in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Myristic vs Stearic Acid
Myristic acid is a common saturated fatty acid having the chemical formula CH3(CH2)12.COOH. Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid having the chemical formula C17H35CO2H. The key difference between myristic and stearic acid is that myristic acid raises LDL cholesterol levels, whereas stearic acid lowers LDL cholesterol levels.
Reference:
1. “Stearic Acid.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Myristic acid” By Calvero. – Selfmade with ChemDraw. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Stearic acid crystallized” By L29Ah – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia