Pentadecanoic acid
Pentadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its molecular formula is CH313CO2H. It is one of the most common odd-chain fatty acids, although it is rare in nature, being found at the level of 1.2% in the milk fat from cows. The butterfat in cows milk is its major dietary source
and it is used as a marker for butterfat consumption. Pentadecanoic acid also occurs in hydrogenated mutton fat. It also comprises 3.61% of the fats from the fruit of the durian species Durio graveolens.
Pentadecanoic acid may decrease mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breastfeeding.
