Food safety and quality: details

Flavouring	Stearic acid
Synonym(s)
Latest JECFA evaluation	2002 (Session 59)
Status of specification	Full
Information required
Chemical name	Octadecanoic acid
JECFA number	116
CAS number	57-11-4
FEMA number	3035
COE number	15
FLAVIS number
Molecular weight	284.48
Chemical formula	C18H36O2
Physical form/odour	hard, white or faintly yellowish crystalline solid/tallow odour
Solubility	practically insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform
Solubility in ethanol	1 g in 20 ml alcohol
Boiling point (°C)	NA
Assay min %	40% (90% total stearic + palmitic acids)
Acid value max	196-211
Refractive index	NA
Specific gravity	NA
Other requirements	mp: 64° (minimum); Saponification Value: 197 to 212; Unsaponifiable Matter: < 1.5%; Water: < 0.2%SC: Palmitic acid; Myristic acid; 9-Octadecenoic acid; Heptadecanoic acid; Eicosanoic acid; Pentadecanoic acid
ID Test	IR
Spectrum