Oleic Acid (High-Purity) BP EP USP Pharma Grade counts as a benchmark ingredient in the landscape of industrial and pharmaceutical raw materials. Known for its purity, this grade manages risk in demanding settings, especially across pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food manufacturing. Sourced from vegetable-based oils—mainly olive oil and some seed sources—Oleic Acid offers a near-colorless to pale yellow appearance at room temperature, with a faint, not unpleasant odor. In solid form under lower temperatures, it takes a slightly waxy or flaky texture, while warmer environments render it a clear, viscous liquid. The HS Code placing Oleic Acid for global trade and compliance falls under 3823.19.00, capturing it for regulatory checks and international movement.
The molecule belongs to the monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid group. Chemically, its formula reads C18H34O2, supporting a structure with a long hydrocarbon tail, one cis double bond at the omega-9 position (ninth carbon from the methyl end). The IUPAC name: (9Z)-octadec-9-enoic acid. This unsaturation imparts liquidity at typical room temperatures and enhances the versatility of the acid compared to fully saturated fatty acids, which crystallize or take a powdery, pearl, or solid state under similar conditions.
Standard density ranges from 0.89 to 0.91 g/cm3 at 25°C, telling the user where it falls in handling and mixing processes. Solubility turns up low in water but very high in alcohols, ether, chloroform, and many organic solvents. Melting points usually range from 13°C to 16°C, so in cooler storage, Oleic Acid moves toward a more crystalline or solid state—less often seen in pharma environments but common in raw supply lines. Viscosity and texture change with temperature, between pourable liquid and form-holding solid. Refractive index hits 1.451-1.458 at 20°C, and the boiling point rises well above 300°C, important for any process that applies heat or involves distillation. While technical grades show impurities, this high-purity version cuts out peroxides, sulfur, and metallic residues—limits tightly managed per BP (British Pharmacopoeia), EP (European Pharmacopoeia), and USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards.
With a molecular weight of 282.47 g/mol, the compound works as a fundamental raw material, often serving as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical excipients, emollients, solubilizers, and lubricants. The highly consistent molecular integrity sets a predictable foundation for manufacturing—no subtle surprises in reactivity or assay figures. Liquid state dominates in warm processing or solution work, but cool temperatures push the acid toward waxy flakes or pearls—useful for handling in bulk or feeding to automated lines. The crystalline and powder forms matter in custom chemical synthesis, but most real-world application leans on the dense liquid format for direct dosing or blending.
Oleic Acid rarely shows overt hazards in its pure form, but high volumes may irritate the eyes, skin, or respiratory system when inhaled as vapor, mist, or dust. Exposure limits see only basic occupational safeguards but smart practice means wearing gloves and goggles during transfers. Hazard and harmful chemical classification under GHS (Globally Harmonized System) generally tags Oleic Acid as low hazard unless combined with reactive substances or under extreme heat. Safe handling involves airtight containers to prevent oxidation, dry storage conditions, and non-reactive materials in pipeline or tank construction. Spillage risks stickiness over toxicity; cleaning rarely involves more than detergent and water but solvent washes can help in larger events. Regulatory documentation—MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), purity certificates, impurity profiles—supports transparency from supplier to end user, building trust between companies and regulators.
Bringing Oleic Acid to BP EP USP Pharma Grade means strict specifications. Assay figures for content sit above 99%, confirming the removal of minor fatty acids, water, oxides, and heavy metals. Specific gravity, acid value, and iodine value must match pharmacopeial targets. Water content stays below 0.1% for shelf stability; color tests confirm near-complete absence of browning contaminants. Peroxide values remain negligible, showing resistance to easy oxidation. Each lot receives batch testing to certify absence of phthalates, allergens, and common process contaminants. Reproducibility, transparency, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) prove as important as technical composition.
I have watched industries depend on Oleic Acid’s flexibility—moving from active medical emulsifiers to textile lubricants to food-grade surfactants without missing a beat. In pharmaceuticals, it acts both as a direct ingredient and a carrier, ensuring stability and smooth release profiles for actives. Food producers count on purity to meet allergen and non-GMO claims. Cosmetic companies leverage Oleic Acid for its skin-friendliness and non-comedogenic nature, supporting claims of gentleness and natural origin. In laboratory synthesis, this molecule bridges basic research and final product, carrying reagents and buffering sensitive agents. On the line, purity means a buffer against recalls, rejections, or adverse patient outcomes.
The true challenge comes not from the molecule itself but in protecting its high-purity integrity across global supply chains. Sourcing strictly from documented, GMP-compliant origins sets the baseline. Certifying each batch with independent, pharmacopeial-grade labs takes out the guesswork for end users. For processing safety, replacing open-scoop transfers with closed pumping systems limits contamination and exposure. Environmental disposal goes beyond basic guidelines: neutralizing waste streams, recovering any volatile byproducts, and tracking life-cycle impact make a real difference. Efforts to track chain of custody from field to finished dose help uncover any gaps. Embracing innovation in traceability—digital batch numbers, real-time impurity logs—further tightens control.
As demand for Oleic Acid (High-Purity) BP EP USP Pharma Grade increases, staying ahead takes more than meeting specs. Supply chain transparency, laboratory accuracy, and attentive end use all matter. Each production step—from raw material blending to packaging—depends on people making the right calls, upholding both technical and ethical standards. The chemical brings proven benefits across industries, but ultimate safety and performance rely on strict adherence to regulations and attention to detail, both on paper and in practice.