Stearin

Stearin. Most of the natura1 animal fats contain, together WIth palmitin and olein, a substance closely resembling the former, which is kmown as stearin. It consists of a compouns of glycerine with stearic acid, and by the action of an acid or superheated steam may be decomposed into these two constitnents. The acid itself may be so obtained as small waxy-looking leaflets which melt at 62° C. It. possesses the composition C₁₃H₃₆O₂, being a member of the group of compounds known as the fatty acids. The stearin candles do not consist of stearin itself, but of a mixture of this stearic acid with the closely allied palmitic acid.