Uses and Application of Stearic Acid - Essay Example

USES AND APPLICATION OF STEARIC ACID Uses of Stearic Acid Stearic acid is generally used as emulsifying agent to combine oil and water in particular (Turner, 2004) so that goods processed using these items do not disintegrate. It is also used as a thickener for manufacturing of products such as greases (NLGI) and soaps. It is specifically used as an important ingredient in the manufacture of products in several industries such as production of soaps, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, candle, crayons, waterproof agent, fireworks, and baking products. It is also popularly used as an active ingredient in the production of food derivatives such as candies, chocolate, margarine, and ice cream since it liquefy or melts in warm grease (Guangzhou Hanglian Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). Also, its higher melting point in “paraffin, ethanol, chloroform, acetone, and aether” (Guangzhou Hanglian Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) makes it an active ingredient in the production of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products such as hair oil, cold cream, skin care balsam and drug ointment as well as lubricant for processing of plastic. Application of Stearic Acid Stearic acid contains 18 chain of carbon connected to an atom of oxygen and a group of hydroxyl that comprise double and single bonds respectively (Science Encyclopedia). In its pure form, stearic acid melts at 156 degree Fahrenheit or 69 degree Celsius. Minimal amounts of other fatty acids such as lauric and palmatic acids are combined with stearic acid in making it as a production component in the manufacture of food and chemicals; hence changing its original properties (Science Encyclopedia). As Food Consumption Higher quantity of stearic acid that is consumed is converted to a mono saturated fat known as oleic acid during digestion; hence it is found to have minimal impact on the level of blood cholesterol (American Heart Association, 2007). Oleic acid is known to be the fatty acid that is neutral in its effects on the level of cholesterol concentrations in the body (Grundy, 1994) thereby making stearic acid to not raise the level of low density lipoprotein specifically. Thus, stearic acid is a good substitute for fatty acids that raises cholesterol level such as palmitic acids. Chocolate, for example, contains cocoa butter high in saturated fat coming from stearic acid; hence chocolates are recently found to be good for the heart in relative quantities since its stearic acid content is converted to oleic acid in the liver (Yale New Haven Nutrition Advisor). Stearic acid is traditionally applied as a binder in the production of food to flavor butter and vanilla, in the production of candies and fruit waxes (The Vegetarian Resource Group, 2004) to make it more malleable in eating it. It is specifically used with simple sugar or syrup to make candies harder making it easier to store. As Industrial and Chemical Production Soap Production. Soap is produced when stearic acid is neutralized with an alkali (Science Encyclopedia). Stearic acid applications in soap production are derived from sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, barium and magnesium; hence sodium stearate, for example, has been widely used in the production of common bar soaps (Science Encyclopedia). Candle Production. Stearic acid’s application in the production of candles helps modify or increase waxes’ melting point (Science Encyclopedia). The candle produced out of combination with stearic acid makes it harder, melts slowly and improves it competitiveness in the market to make it more long lasting in use, not dripping and smoking excessively like what is needed in churches. Two to nine tablespoons of stearic acid is used per pound of wax in producing candle (Turner, 2004). It gives no unpleasant odor in candles and gives a clean finish when it burns. Beauty Products. It is usually found in small concentrations between 2% to 10% in lotions, moisturizers, creams, shampoos and other beauty products as an emulsifier. Such low concentrations prevent any irritation to skin of users (Turner, 2004). “Pearly effect in shampoos, soaps and other cosmetic products” (Wikipedia) is derived from the esters derivative of stearic acid combined with ethylene glycol, glycol stearate and glycol distearate which are added in its production to form a crystallization effect. Casting Products. Production of plaster castings uses stearic acid as a parting compound from “piece mold or waste mold” (Wikipedia) wherein it brushes the solution from powdered stearic acid and water into the casting surface. Fireworks Materials Production. Stearic acid coats metal powders like aluminum and iron to prevent oxidation of these compounds to allow longer storage of firework materials. Lubricating Greases. Stearic acid is a major desirable component in the production of lubricating greases used for roller bearings, aircraft maintenance, and petroleum based production. Tail oil derived stearic acid is said to produce grease in high quality compared to other sources (NLGI). Markets for Stearic Acid The markets for stearic acid is promising particularly for food derivatives after the result of several studies citing it as a good source of fatty acid that does not increase the level of cholesterol in humans; hence products like chocolates, among others, are viewed nowadays to be healthy if consumed in relative quantities. Oleic acid “has been studied for its potential role in weight loss and osteoporosis prevention” (Tsang, 2007). Research like this promotes the appealing role of stearic acid as ingredient for food additives in packaged food products which increases its marketability towards consumers. The consumer market is going towards healthier food preferences, hence they are choosing food products that contributes to overall health well being. Thus, they patronize products with ingredients proven by several studies to promote good health such as stearic acid. On the other hand, the applications of stearic acid in industrial and chemical production make it the widely preferred ingredients in manufacturing processes. Its uses widely encompass several areas of production for several products. In fact, import and export of stearic acid from one country to another is highly practice in current markets. Russia, for example, demands higher volume of stearates or stearic acid since it encompasses major uses in its various industries (Merchant Research and Consulting, Ltd., 2006). In particular, this research on Russia’s demand for stearates as stabilizer ingredients has “shifted to ecologically-safe thermo stabilizers” (Merchant Research and Consulting, Ltd., 2006). A total of 150 countries are reported to be the market for stearic acid that requires higher supply based on a report for the Global Market for Palmetic Acid, Stearic Acid and their Salts and Esters (2004) based on the category provided by the United Nations Statistics Division Classification Registry of products traded worldwide. These countries indicated in the report comes from various regions of the world indicating that the commercial use of stearic acid is encompassing making it a highly in demand goods traded in the global market. The use of stearic acid encompasses even the use of technology since it’s a main derivative or ingredient in production of products. The production of candle, for example, becomes easier and low cost with the use of stearic acid; hence major markets benefits from long lasting candle products. Also, the production of beauty products life soaps and lotions rely heavily on the use of stearic acid to make it more compact and also cheaper in price. Barriers to Trade Global trading of stearic acid and its derivatives are subjected to the terms of a particular country’s tariff regulations. In year 2004, for example, the Indonesian government calls for a reduction in the tariff of its stearic acid product in its trading transactions with The Republic of China (World Trade News, 2004). Such action from the Indonesian government came after the Malaysian government received tariff reduction for its trading of stearic acid into The Republic of China which gives them competitive advantage against the former that have been the major exporter of stearic acid into China trading 300,000 tons of stearic acid a year generating an annual revenue of 200 million dollars. Such action by China to lower tariffs on stearic acid is an implementation under “Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN)” (World Trade News, 2004). China is a major producer of products that use stearic acid as one of its ingredients hence its crucial role as trade partners for stearic acid. Its annual demand for stearic acid is estimated to reach more than one million tons making it a major market for suppliers of stearic acid like Indonesia and Malaysia which are wide producers of palm oil wherein stearic acid can also be derived. Assessment on Future Demand Such conditions on free trade among countries made the supply and demand of stearic acid competitive. However, the demand from each country would surely not decrease particularly if such country does not have access to in house production of stearic acid. It is already a given fact that stearic acid contributes significantly to the production of various goods traded in the market be it for household or industrial consumption. Indonesia and Malaysia, for instance, are continuously producing palm oil to continue supplying their market for stearic acid. In fact, they also import the production of pal oil at times when their own production cannot meet the demand of their clients. Consumer market nowadays is consumption driven and also health conscious which makes foods with stearic acid a good product to patronize. Also, the production of industrial products benefits from the cost effectiveness of using stearic acid as an additive, emulsifier and thickener in the production of various industrial and chemical products. References 1. M. Turner (2004). Stearic Acid. Retrieved on 30 November 2007 from http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=Stearic%20acid 2. National Association of Lubricating Grease Manufacturers, Inc. (NLGI) Tail-oil Derived Stearic Acid as a Thickener Precursor for the Manufacture of Greases. Retrieved on 01 December 2007 from http://www.nlgi.com/technical_papers/0129.htm 3. Guangzhou Hanglian Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Emulsifier / Glycerol Monostearate Distilled Monoglycerides, Stearic Acid. Retrieved on 01 December 2007 from http://gzhanglian.en.alibaba.com/product/50197700/51138795/Emulsifying_Agents/Emulsifier_Glycerol_Monostearate_Distilled_Monoglycerides_Stearic_Acid.html 4. American Heart Association (2007). Stearic Acid. Retrieved on 01 December 2007 from http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4747. 5. The Vegetarian Resource Group (2004). Questions About Food Ingredients: Stearic Acid. Retrieved on 02 December 2007 from http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faqingredients.htm#stearic. 6. SM Grundy (1994). Influence of Stearic Acid on Cholesterol Metabolism Relative to Other Long-Chain Fatty Acids. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 60, 986S-990S. 7. Chocolate: Food for the Gods. Yale New Haven Nutrition Advisor. Retrieved on 02 December 2007 from http://www.ynhh.org/online/nutrition/advisor/chocolate.html. 8. Science Encyclopedia. Volume 16. Stearic Acid. Retrieved on 02 December 2007 from http://science.jrank.org/pages/6482/Stearic-Acid.html 9. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Stearic Acid. Retrieved on 01 December 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stearic_acid. 10. Tsang, G. (2007). A Good Transfat: Conjugated Lenoleic Acid. Health Castle.Com. Retrieved on 02 December 2007 from http://www.healthcastle.com/trans_conjugated_linoleic_acid.shtml 11. Stearic Acid and Stearates Market Research. Merchant Research and Consulting Ltd (2006). Retrieved on 03 December 2007 from http://mcgroup.co.uk/researches/S/12/Stearic%20Acid%20and%20Stearates%20Market%20Research.html 12. Icon Group International Inc. (2004). Global Market for Palmetic Acid, Stearic Acid, And Their Salts and Esters. Retrieved on 03 December 2007 from http://www.mindbranch.com/Palmitic-Acid-Stearic-R307-8176/ 13. Indonesian Chemical Industry Calls for a Cut in Chinese Tariff. World Trade News: News Summary for WTO Reference Centres and Non-Resident Missions. No. 1076 (2004). Retrieved on 03 December 2007 from http://www.mre.gov.py/paginas/boletines/omc/anteriores/boletin10820041.asp Read More

Oleic acid is known to be the fatty acid that is neutral in its effects on the level of cholesterol concentrations in the body (Grundy, 1994) thereby making stearic acid to not raise the level of low density lipoprotein specifically. Thus, stearic acid is a good substitute for fatty acids that raises cholesterol level such as palmitic acids. Chocolate, for example, contains cocoa butter high in saturated fat coming from stearic acid; hence chocolates are recently found to be good for the heart in relative quantities since its stearic acid content is converted to oleic acid in the liver (Yale New Haven Nutrition Advisor).

Stearic acid is traditionally applied as a binder in the production of food to flavor butter and vanilla, in the production of candies and fruit waxes (The Vegetarian Resource Group, 2004) to make it more malleable in eating it. It is specifically used with simple sugar or syrup to make candies harder making it easier to store. As Industrial and Chemical Production Soap Production. Soap is produced when stearic acid is neutralized with an alkali (Science Encyclopedia). Stearic acid applications in soap production are derived from sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, barium and magnesium; hence sodium stearate, for example, has been widely used in the production of common bar soaps (Science Encyclopedia).

Candle Production. Stearic acid’s application in the production of candles helps modify or increase waxes’ melting point (Science Encyclopedia). The candle produced out of combination with stearic acid makes it harder, melts slowly and improves it competitiveness in the market to make it more long lasting in use, not dripping and smoking excessively like what is needed in churches. Two to nine tablespoons of stearic acid is used per pound of wax in producing candle (Turner, 2004). It gives no unpleasant odor in candles and gives a clean finish when it burns.

Beauty Products. It is usually found in small concentrations between 2% to 10% in lotions, moisturizers, creams, shampoos and other beauty products as an emulsifier. Such low concentrations prevent any irritation to skin of users (Turner, 2004). “Pearly effect in shampoos, soaps and other cosmetic products” (Wikipedia) is derived from the esters derivative of stearic acid combined with ethylene glycol, glycol stearate and glycol distearate which are added in its production to form a crystallization effect.

Casting Products. Production of plaster castings uses stearic acid as a parting compound from “piece mold or waste mold” (Wikipedia) wherein it brushes the solution from powdered stearic acid and water into the casting surface. Fireworks Materials Production. Stearic acid coats metal powders like aluminum and iron to prevent oxidation of these compounds to allow longer storage of firework materials. Lubricating Greases. Stearic acid is a major desirable component in the production of lubricating greases used for roller bearings, aircraft maintenance, and petroleum based production.

Tail oil derived stearic acid is said to produce grease in high quality compared to other sources (NLGI). Markets for Stearic Acid The markets for stearic acid is promising particularly for food derivatives after the result of several studies citing it as a good source of fatty acid that does not increase the level of cholesterol in humans; hence products like chocolates, among others, are viewed nowadays to be healthy if consumed in relative quantities. Oleic acid “has been studied for its potential role in weight loss and osteoporosis prevention” (Tsang, 2007).

Research like this promotes the appealing role of stearic acid as ingredient for food additives in packaged food products which increases its marketability towards consumers. The consumer market is going towards healthier food preferences, hence they are choosing food products that contributes to overall health well being. Thus, they patronize products with ingredients proven by several studies to promote good health such as stearic acid.

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