Stearic acid is a fatty acid typically produced by hydrolysis of common animal and vegetable fats and oils, followed by fractionation (distillation or crystallization) of the resulting fatty acids. Pressing methods separate the liquid unsaturated fatty acids from the solid saturated fatty acids.

Where does stearic acid come from?

Stearic acid is found in various animal and plant fats, and is a major component of cocoa butter and shea butter. Stearic acid (IUPAC systematic name: octadecanoic acid) is one of the useful types of saturated fatty acids that comes from many animal and vegetable fats and oils.

How is stearate formed?

It is synthesized by the hydrolysis of animal fat or from hydrogenation of cottonseed or vegetable oil. Commercial stearic acid is a mixture of stearic acid with palmitic and myristic acid.