Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect

Tuba Unver

doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19

Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect

Abstract

Palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid) is a saturated fatty acid that is widely found in nature and has valuable medicinal and pharmacological applications. Although its antiproliferative effects on cancer cells are well documented in the literature, studies evaluating its antimicrobial activity as a pure compound remain quite limited. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial and antifungal activity of 98% pure palmitic acid against five bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and five yeast strains (Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of palmitic acid was 65 mg/mL against S. aureus, and 130 mg/mL against the other four bacterial species tested. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values against bacterial strains ranged from 130 mg/mL to 260 mg/mL. Furthermore, according to antifungal activity test results, the MIC values of palmitic acid were 32.5 mg/mL against C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata, and 65 mg/mL against C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. albicans. The Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values against Candida species ranged from 65 to 130 mg/mL. In conclusion, this study provides detailed MIC and MBC/MFC data on the antimicrobial potential of pure palmitic acid. Overall, palmitic acid showed slightly higher efficacy against Candida species than against bacteria. This preliminary study proved the antibacterial and antifungal activity of palmitic acid and paved the way for its use in medical, healthcare, and industrial fields with further advanced studies.

Keywords

Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial activity, Hexadecanoic acid, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Palmitic acid

Thanks

The author thanks Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismet Yılmaz (Inonu University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology) for providing hexadecanoic acid as part of his thesis student project.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tuba Unver ^*
0000-0002-8655-2716
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 19, 2026

Publication Date

September 25, 2026

Submission Date

July 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA78AW27YK

APA

Unver, T. (2026). Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 10(3), 726-731. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19

AMA

1.Unver T. Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;10(3):726-731. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19

Chicago

Unver, Tuba. 2026. “Palmitic Acid, Known As Hexadecanoic Acid, Possesses Both Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties and Exhibits a Cidal Effect”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 10 (3): 726-31. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19.

EndNote

Unver T (September 1, 2026) Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 10 3 726–731.

IEEE

[1]T. Unver, “Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 726–731, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19.

ISNAD

Unver, Tuba. “Palmitic Acid, Known As Hexadecanoic Acid, Possesses Both Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties and Exhibits a Cidal Effect”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 10/3 (September 1, 2026): 726-731. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19.

JAMA

1.Unver T. Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;10:726–731.

MLA

Unver, Tuba. “Palmitic Acid, Known As Hexadecanoic Acid, Possesses Both Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties and Exhibits a Cidal Effect”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, vol. 10, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 726-31, doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19.

Vancouver

1.Tuba Unver. Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026 Sep. 1;10(3):726-31. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.19

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Palmitic acid, known as hexadecanoic acid, possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties and exhibits a cidal effect

Abstract

Keywords

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite

International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Food Sciences