Methyl Palmitate TCI P0006

Methyl Palmitate from TCI is the methyl ester of palmitic acid, a saturated C16 fatty acid. It belongs to the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), a group of compounds central to lipid analysis because fatty acids are usually converted to their methyl esters before gas chromatography. In life science and analytical chemistry laboratories, methyl palmitate serves as a reference standard, a model compound in biodiesel research, and a lipid reagent for a range of biochemical studies. It is also one of the main components of biodiesel produced from palm oil, which makes it especially useful when studying or testing such fuels.

Several properties make methyl palmitate a preferred choice in the laboratory. It is volatile enough for gas chromatography, and its retention behaviour is widely documented, so it is a reliable comparison compound for identifying the C16:0 peak in fatty acid profiles. Its saturated chain makes it fairly resistant to oxidation, so standard solutions keep longer than those of unsaturated fatty acid esters. It has low polarity and dissolves well in organic solvents, which makes it easy to prepare at different concentrations for calibration curves and quantitative work across many analytical methods.

In Indonesia, methyl palmitate matters most to laboratories that test biodiesel and palm oil, given the size of the national palm oil industry and the country's biodiesel blending programmes. Quality control laboratories, research institutions, and university departments use it to check FAME composition, confirm chromatographic peak assignments, and validate analytical methods. It also supports teaching and research in food science, lipid biochemistry, and renewable energy, where accurate fatty acid profiling is needed for reliable, reproducible results.

• Gas chromatography reference standard: methyl palmitate is used to identify and quantify the C16:0 peak in FAME profiles, because its retention behaviour is well documented and consistent.
• Biodiesel composition testing: as a main component of palm-based biodiesel, it is a natural reference compound for checking ester content and composition in fuel quality laboratories.
• Calibration curve preparation: its good solubility in organic solvents and low polarity let analysts prepare accurate standard series at several concentrations for quantitative chromatographic work.
• Palm oil and edible oil fatty acid profiling: after oils are converted to methyl esters, methyl palmitate helps confirm the palmitic acid content that is typical of palm oil samples.
• Lipid biochemistry research: it serves as a model saturated fatty acid ester in studies of lipid metabolism, transesterification reactions, and the physical behaviour of fatty acid derivatives.

Store methyl palmitate in its original, tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and strong oxidising agents. Its saturated structure makes it fairly stable, but prepared standard solutions should be kept in well-sealed glass vials, labelled clearly, and checked regularly for evaporation of the solvent. Because the material may soften in warm tropical conditions, let it reach a uniform state before weighing. Follow standard laboratory practice: wear gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat, avoid inhaling vapour or dust, and handle organic solvent solutions in a fume hood. Always read the TCI Safety Data Sheet for full hazard and disposal information.

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