What is the Difference Between Oleic Acid and Elaidic Acid?

Oleic acid and elaidic acid are both organic compounds containing carboxylic acid groups at the end of a carbon chain. They are unsaturated fatty acids with a double bond at the middle of the carbon chain, specifically at the 9th carbon position. The key difference between oleic acid and elaidic acid is found in the geometry of their double bonds.

Oleic acid has a cis (or Z) configuration, meaning the hydrogen atoms on both sides of the double bond are on the same side. This results in a kink or bend in the hydrocarbon chain. On the other hand, elaidic acid has a trans (or E) configuration, where the hydrogen atoms on both sides of the double bond are on opposite sides. This leads to elaidic acid having a more linear structure compared to oleic acid.

The different configurations affect the physical properties of the acids:

• Phase: Oleic acid occurs in the liquid phase, while elaidic acid occurs in the solid form.
• Melting Point: Elaidic acid has a higher melting point than oleic acid due to its more linear structure, which allows the carbon chains to pack together more tightly.

Both oleic acid and elaidic acid are found in various food sources, with elaidic acid being present in small amounts in milk fat (about 10% of bovine octadecenoic acids). Oleic acid is a common component in many vegetable oils and animal fats.

Comparative Table: Oleic Acid vs Elaidic Acid

Oleic acid and elaidic acid are organic compounds, both are acidic compounds containing carboxylic acid groups at the end of a carbon chain. They are unsaturated fatty acids because they have a double bond at the middle of the carbon chain. The main difference between these two compounds is their physical state and configuration at the double bond. Here is a comparison table of the differences between oleic acid and elaidic acid: