Description
Tripalmitoylglycerol — Solid Lipid Core for Delivery & Lipid Research
Tripalmitoylglycerol (also called glyceryl tripalmitate or palmitic triglyceride) is a fully saturated triglyceride in which all three fatty acid chains are palmitate (C16:0) residues. Its chemical formula is C₅₁H₉₈O₆ and its molecular weight is ~807.32 g/mol. (PubChem Chemical ID: 11147)
At room temperature, it exists as a semi-solid/solid lipid, insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents and oils, making it an excellent structural lipid for formulation work.
What Makes It Useful
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Lipid nanoparticle / solid lipid core – Tripalmitoylglycerol can serve as a rigid, stable lipid core in lipid nanoparticle, solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN), or liposome formulations, helping encapsulate hydrophobic payloads (e.g. drugs, lipid-soluble compounds).
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Model triglyceride substrate – Because it is a “pure” saturated triglyceride, it is used as a reference or benchmark in studies of lipid metabolism, triglyceride synthesis/degradation, and crystallization behavior of fats and oils.
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Crystallization / polymorphism studies – Tripalmitoylglycerol exhibits multiple polymorphic solid forms. Its crystallization behavior (melting, phase transitions) is studied in the context of fat/oil industry, food science, and lipid carriers.
Suggested Applications & Tips
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Use as the hydrophobic core or matrix component in designing lipid-based delivery systems (e.g. SLNs, lipospheres, solid lipid emulsions).
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Combine with other lipids (e.g. unsaturated triglycerides, emulsifiers) to tune melting behavior, mechanical strength, and release kinetics.
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In metabolism or enzymology studies, tripalmitoylglycerol can be hydrolyzed by lipases to study the kinetics or specificity of enzyme action on saturated triglycerides.
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Its high melting point and solid nature make formulation handling more demanding: heating above the melting point or using solvents/emulsifiers is often necessary for dispersion.
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Because it is fully saturated, it’s less prone to oxidative instability compared to unsaturated lipids.
Handling & Storage Notes
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Store in a cool, dry place (e.g. 5 °C) to prevent melting or degradation.
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Avoid prolonged exposure to heat, light, or oxidizing conditions.
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Use solvents (e.g. chloroform, ethanol, or oil media) or gentle heating to dissolve or disperse for formulation.Verify purity and physical form (polymorph) via analytical techniques (e.g. DSC, XRD) when using for formulation or crystallization studies.
