Palmitoleic acid, or (9Z)-hexadec-9-enoic acid, is an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid (16:1n-7) with the formula CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)7COOH. It is a rare component of fats.[1] It is a common constituent of the glycerides of human adipose tissue.[citation needed] It is present in all tissues but, in general, found in higher concentrations in the liver.
It is biosynthesized from palmitic acid by the action of the enzyme Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1.
Animal and cell culture studies indicate that palmitoleic acid is anti-inflammatory, and improves insulin sensitivity in liver and skeletal muscles, but more studies are required to establish its actions in humans.[2] Many of the effects of palmitoleic acid are due to its activation of PPAR-alpha.[2]
Palmitoleic acid is found in trace amounts in most foods except for sardine oil, which contains 15% of this acid as a component of triglycerides.[1]
Other dietary sources of palmitoleic acid include breast milk,[3] a variety of animal fats, vegetable oils, and marine oils. Macadamia oil (Macadamia integrifolia) and sea buckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides) are botanical sources with high concentrations, containing 17% and 19-29% palmitoleic acid, respectively.[citation needed][4][5]