A common saturated fatty acid found in fats and waxes including olive oil, palm oil, and body lipids. Occurs in the form of esters (glycerides) in oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin. Usually obt. from palm oil. Widely distributed in plants. Defoaming agent, lubricant and fruit coating constit. Palmitic acid is the first fatty acid produced during lipogenesis and from which longer fatty acids can be produced.; Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants.

Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants, a saturated fatty acid found in fats and waxes including olive oil, palm oil, and body lipids. It occurs in the form of esters (glycerides) in oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin and is usually obtained from palm oil, which is widely distributed in plants. Palmitic acid is used in determination of water hardness and is an active ingredient of *Levovist*TM, used in echo enhancement in sonographic Doppler B-mode imaging and as an ultrasound contrast medium.