Ximenynic acid is ''trans''-11-octadecen-9-ynoic acid,
[ a long-chain acetylenic ]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, ...
.[
It was discovered in the fruit kernels of 3 South American ]ximenia
''Ximenia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Olacaceae. The generic name honors Francisco Ximénez, a Spanish priest.Genaust, Helmut (1976). ''Etymologisches Wörterbuch der botanischen Pflanzennamen''
Selected species
* ''Ximeni ...
species (and so named).[The chemistry of ximenynic acid. J. Chem. Soc., 1952, 1088-1093 DOI: 10.1039/JR9520001088 ]
/ref> and found to have the formula C18H30O2.[
It can be extracted from the fruit kernels of the '' Santalum obtusifolium'' (Sandalwood)][Medicinal Plants in Australia, Volume 1. Cheryll Williams page 274. ] and the Australian sandalwood ''Santalum spicatum
''Santalum spicatum'', the Australian sandalwood, also Waang and other names (Noongar) and Dutjahn ( Martu), is a tree native to semi-arid areas at the edge of Southwest Australia, in the state of Western Australia. It is also found in South A ...
''[Separation and identification of ximenynic acid isomers in the seed oil of Santalum spicatum R.Br. as their 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives. Yandi et al. 1996]
/ref>
It is also found in seed oil of other plants in the Santalaceae
The Santalaceae, sandalwoods, are a widely distributed family of flowering plants (including small trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, and epiphytic climbersHewson & George t al.br>''Santalaceae'' taxonomy, 1984, pp. 191-194.) which, like other mem ...
family, including the native cherry ''Exocarpos cupressiformis
''Exocarpos cupressiformis'', with common names that include native cherry, cherry ballart, and cypress cherry, belongs to the sandalwood family of plants. It is a species endemic to Australia. Occasionally the genus name is spelt "Exocarpus" bu ...
'' and sweet quandong ''Santalum acuminatum
''Santalum acuminatum'', the desert quandong, is a hemiparasitic plant in the sandalwood family, Santalaceae, (Native to Australia) which is widely dispersed throughout the central deserts and southern areas of Australia.
The species, especia ...
''.[Diversity of Δ12 fatty acid desaturases in santalaceae and their role in production of seed oil acetylenic fatty acids. Okada et al. 2013. J Biol Chem 2013 Nov 23;288(45):32405-13. Epub 2013 Sep 23.]
/ref>
Sources
Patents
It was the subject of a 2003 European patent (for use in food). The patent application was deemed withdrawn in August 2012.
Uses
It is used in some skincare products.Sandalwood Nut CO2 Oil (product)
/ref>
References
Fatty acids
Alkene derivatives
Alkyne derivatives
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