Ximenynic acid explained

Ximenynic acid is trans-11-octadecen-9-ynoic acid, a long-chain acetylenic fatty acid.

It was discovered in the fruit kernels of three species of South American plants in the genus Ximenia, after which it is named.[1] and found to have the formula C18H30O2.[1]

It can be extracted from the fruit kernels of the Santalum obtusifolium (Sandalwood)[2] and the Australian sandalwood Santalum spicatum[3]

It is also found in seed oil of other plants in the Santalaceae family, including the native cherry Exocarpos cupressiformis and sweet quandong Santalum acuminatum.[4]

Sources

Species % of kernel oil Notes
S. spicatum 34
S. obtusifolium 71.5
S. acuminatum ?

Patents

It was the subject of a 2003 European patent (for use in food).[5] The patent application was deemed withdrawn in August 2012.[6]

Uses

It is used in some skincare products.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Lightelm . S. P. . Schwartz . H. M. . von Holdt . M. M. . 1952 . 193. The chemistry of ximenynic acid . Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed) . en . 1088–1093 . 10.1039/jr9520001088 . 0368-1769.
  2. Medicinal Plants in Australia, Volume 1. Cheryll Williams page 274.
  3. Liu . Yandi D. . Longmore . Robert B. . Fox . John E. D. . December 1996 . Separation and identification of ximenynic acid isomers in the seed oil of Santalum spicatum R.Br. as their 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives . Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society . en . 73 . 12 . 1729–1731 . 10.1007/BF02517979 . 83483921 . 0003-021X.
  4. Okada . Shoko . Zhou . Xue-Rong . Damcevski . Katherine . Gibb . Nerida . Wood . Craig . Hamberg . Mats . Haritos . Victoria S. . November 2013 . Diversity of Δ12 Fatty Acid Desaturases in Santalaceae and Their Role in Production of Seed Oil Acetylenic Fatty Acids . Journal of Biological Chemistry . en . 288 . 45 . 32405–32413 . 10.1074/jbc.M113.511931 . free . 3820875 . 24062307.
  5. https://data.epo.org/gpi/EP1402787A1-Ximenynic-acid EP 1402787 A1:Ximenynic acid
  6. https://register.epo.org/application?number=EP03021163&lng=en&tab=main Ximenynic acid
  7. http://www.selectbotanicals.com.au/products/product/SANNT10?category=PHCRULNW& Sandalwood Nut CO2 Oil (product)