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Vaccenic acid
IUPAC name	(E)-Octadec-11-enoic acid
Identifiers
CAS number	693-72-1 Y
PubChem	5281127
SMILES	CCCCCC/C=C/CCCCCCCCCC(O)=O
Properties
Molecular formula	C18H34O2
Molar mass	282.461 g/mol
Y (what is this?)  (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Vaccenic acid is a naturally occurring trans fat found in the fat of ruminants and in dairy products such as milk and yogurt.^[1] It is also the predominant 'trans-fat' in human milk.^[2][3]

Its IUPAC name is (E)-11-octadecenoic acid, and its lipid shorthand name is 18:1 trans-11. The name was derived from the Latin vacca (cow).^[4]

Vaccenic acid was discovered in 1928 in animal fats and butter. It is the main trans fatty acid isomer present in milk fat.^[4] Mammals convert it into rumenic acid, a conjugated linoleic acid,^[5][6] where it shows anticarcinogenic properties.^[7]

Its stereoisomer, cis-vaccenic acid is an omega-7 fatty acid found in Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) oil.^[8] Its IUPAC name is (Z)-11-octadecenoic acid, and its lipid shorthand name is 18:1 cis-11.

Health

A 2008 study at the University of Alberta suggests that vaccenic acid feeding in rats over 16 weeks resulted in lowered total cholesterol, lowered LDL cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. The researchers are preparing to conduct further research, including human clinical trials.^[9]

Old person smell

It has been suggested that the oxidative degradation of omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on the skin surface, such as palmitoleic acid and vaccenic acid, may be the cause of the phenomenon commonly known as old person smell.^[10]

References