Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature, is the most common fatty acid found in animals, plants and microorganisms. Its molecular formula is CH3(CH2)14CO2H. As its name indicates, it is a major component of the oil from palm trees (palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil), but can also be found in meats, cheeses, butter, and dairy products. Palmitate is a term for the salts and esters of palmitic acid. The palmitate anion is the observed form of palmitic acid at basic pH.
Palmitic acid has been shown (in rats fed on a 20% fat (palmitic acid), 80% carbohydrate diet) to alter aspects of the central nervous system responsible for the secretion of insulin, and to suppress the body's natural appetite-suppressing signals from leptin and insulin—the key hormones involved in weight regulation.
Aluminum salts of palmitic acid and naphthenic acid were combined during World War II to produce napalm (aluminum naphthenate and aluminum palmitate). The word "napalm" is derived from the words naphthenic acid and palmitic acid.
Read more about Palmitic Acid: Occurrence and Production, Biochemistry, Applications, Dietary Effect