Arachidic acid, also known as icosanoic acid, is a saturated

fatty acid In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, fr ...

with a 20-carbon chain. It is a minor constituent of

cupuaçu ''Theobroma grandiflorum'', commonly known as cupuaçu, also spelled cupuassu, cupuazú, cupu assu, or copoazu, is a tropical rainforest tree related to cacao. Native and common throughout the Amazon basin, it is naturally cultivated in the jung ...

butter (7%),

perilla oil Perilla oil ( ''Deulgireum'') is an edible vegetable oil derived from perilla seeds. Having a distinct nutty aroma and taste, the oil pressed from the toasted perilla seeds is used as a flavor enhancer, condiment, and cooking oil in Korean cuisine ...

(0–1%),

peanut oil Peanut oil, also known as groundnut oil or arachis oil, is a vegetable oil derived from peanuts. The oil usually has a mild or neutral flavor but, if made with roasted peanuts, has a stronger peanut flavor and aroma. It is often used in America ...

(1.1–1.7%), corn oil (3%),U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2007. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20
Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page
/ref> and

cocoa butter Cocoa butter, also called theobroma oil, is a pale-yellow, edible fat extracted from the cocoa bean. It is used to make chocolate, as well as some ointments, toiletries, and pharmaceuticals. Cocoa butter has a cocoa flavor and aroma. Its mel ...

(1%).USDA nutrient database
The salts and esters of arachidic acid are known as arachidates. Its name derives from the Latin ''arachis''—peanut. It can be formed by the

hydrogenation Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a Catalysis, catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to redox, reduce or S ...

of arachidonic acid. Reduction of arachidic acid yields

arachidyl alcohol Arachidyl alcohol, also 1-icosanol, is a waxy substance used as an emollient in cosmetics. It is a straight-chain fatty alcohol with 20 carbon atoms, typically obtained via the hydrogenation of arachidic acid or arachidonic acid, both of which a ...

. Arachidic acid is used for the production of detergents, photographic materials and lubricants.

References

Fatty acids Alkanoic acids {{organic-compound-stub