DESCRIPTION

Bohenin occurs as a white to light tan, waxy solid. It is a triglyceride containing behenic acid at the 1- and 3-positions and oleic acid at the 2-position. Behenic acid is a saturated fatty acid that occurs naturally in peanuts, most seed fats, animal milk fat, and marine oils. It is produced by the interesterification of triolein and ethyl behenate in the presence of a suitable lipase enzyme preparation. It melts at approximately 52°. It is insoluble in water; soluble in hexane, in chloroform, and in acetone; and slightly soluble in hot ethanol.