Stearic Acid methyl ester

Stearic Acid methyl ester (CAS No.: 112-61-8) is a fatty acid methyl ester derived from the esterification of stearic acid, commonly originating from plant and animal lipid sources and also isolated from botanical materials such as Rheum palmatum L., and is widely recognized as a constituent of soybean- and rapeseed-derived biodiesel formulations. In biomedical and biochemical research contexts, it is classified within long-chain lipid esters and is utilized as a model compound for studying lipid metabolism, biofuel-related biochemical pathways, and lipid–enzyme interactions. Evidence suggests that it can interact with specific enzymes and modulate signaling pathways associated with lipid processing, with reported inhibitory effects on enzyme activity observed in vitro, typically within micromolar concentration ranges depending on assay conditions. Its reduced aqueous solubility relative to the parent free acid, coupled with improved compatibility in formulated systems, supports its application in dietary and lipid-based experimental models. Functionally, it serves as a tool compound for investigating the metabolic and signaling roles of saturated fatty acid derivatives, including their influence on lipid homeostasis and cellular responses. In experimental settings, it is commonly employed in cell-based assays and metabolic studies, as well as in the development of lipid-enriched diets in animal models, where dosing and concentrations are adjusted according to specific study designs and research objectives.