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L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate: Characteristics, Structure, and Material Properties

What is L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate?

L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate comes from joining ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, with palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid. This structure brings together the antioxidant power of vitamin C with fat solubility properties. Instead of dissolving in water, it mixes with oils and nonpolar solvents, making it useful for products that need protection against oxidation without water-based solutions. People often run into this molecule in the food industry, supplements, and some cosmetics, especially when there’s a need to shield fats and oils from going rancid.

Molecular Structure and Formula

L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate packs a punch at the molecular level. Its formula is C22H38O7, made by bonding an ascorbate ring with a 16-carbon-long palmitate chain. The ascorbate portion hangs onto anti-oxidative punch, scavenging free radicals and slowing down oxidation. The palmitate chain tugs the molecule into oils, which keeps the vitamin C option viable in fatty environments. Every batch of this molecule offers a white to yellow solid, often seen as flakes, powder, or pearls. These forms store well and can be measured by density, typically about 1.08 g/cm³. This density matters during formulation because it guides everything from shipping to mixing in large kettles.

Physical Properties: Flakes, Solid, Pearls, and Powder

People compare handling L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate to working with soap flakes or sugar granules. Solid flakes crunch under pressure and don’t clump easily if kept dry. Pearls help with controlled dosing—you can add just a little or a lot, depending on the batch size. Powder dissolves sluggishly in water but melts smoothly in oils. Sometimes, the crystalline structure looks almost glassy, is brittle, and snaps instead of bending. The melting point hovers around 107–117°C, which means it stands up to normal room conditions without melting or sticking.

Hazardous, Harmful, and Safe Handling

Many chemicals deserve respect, and L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate is no exception. Small-scale use in food and supplements enjoys a good safety record, though industrial-sized operations call for gloves and dust masks. The powder can irritate eyes and airways, especially if poured quickly into a vat or mixer. Storage should always be cool, dry, and away from strong oxidizers. People sometimes get complacent, but experience shows that cleanup is easier with a dedicated vacuum or slightly damp cloth—scraping with metal tools scatters particles. Chemical safety sheets (SDS) spell out key points here and the HS Code often reads as 2936.27, which pins the material to a specific customs category for food or cosmetic use.

Raw Material Uses, Solution Preparation, and Concentration

Food companies lean on this ingredient to boost shelf life in chips, baked goods, and even some dairy substitutes. It slides right into raw material categories alongside lecithin and tocopherols. Mixing into an oil base requires gentle warming, not much above 50°C, to avoid breaking down the ascorbate part. Fully dissolving in oils takes patience—rushing it makes for gritty textures and uneven blends. Some operators use pre-made solutions in liter bottles to simplify dosing, particularly in tight production settings. In personal care, the antioxidant power fits well in creams and lotions, where it wards off the breakdown of fragile oils. Two percent is a common target concentration, though some recipes edge higher if fats tend to spoil.

Material Handling, Density, and Chemical Reactions

Moving large amounts of L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate around a facility showcases its low bulk density—fluffy, but heavy enough not to float. Bins or hoppers fitted with smooth linings and steady vibration keep the material flowing. Chemical stability shines in neutral pH, but high heat or acidic mixes wear down the antioxidant edge over time. Some suppliers test each lot for specific gravity and solubility, publishing these numbers to help end users tailor mixing procedures. Unopened, dry containers hold up well for years, but humid storage speeds up clumping and a faint, odd odor, a warning that the ascorbate backbone is breaking down.

Why It Matters

Anyone who’s watched an oil go stale or a face cream turn yellow knows the pain of losing product to oxidation. L-Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate steps in where water-based vitamin C can’t go. Its usefulness goes beyond food—cosmetic chemists, supplement makers, and even pharma all count on predictable, reliable material quality. In my own work, handling delicate raw oils that last a few days without some type of protection, this compound sets the difference between a batch that ships and a batch that gets tossed. Sourcing quality product with clear specs matters and understanding both the science and day-to-day routine makes all the difference in uptime, yield, and bottom line.