What Is Tridecanoic Acid (13:0) & What Foods Can I Find It In?

3D-model of Tridecanoic acid (13:0) (src)

Tridecanoic acid, 13:0, also known as N-tridecanoate.

It’s a saturated fatty acid that belongs to the class of organic compounds known as long-chain fatty acids.

Tridecanoic acid is found in the triglycerides of edible oils and fats.

Tridecanoic acid can potentially be toxic.

Table of Contents

Insoluble In Water

Tridecanoic acid, also known as N-tridecanoate, is a saturated fatty acid.

It has a role as a plant metabolite. (source )

Tridecanoic acid is a hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble in water. (source )

How To Obtain Tridecanoic Acid

Tridecanoic acid is conventionally obtained by the oxidation of myristic acid, which is in turn prepared from natural sources such as coconut oil or by the hydrogenation of myristoleic acid, which in turn is obtained from natural sources such as tallow.

Tridecanoic Acid In The Chemical Industry

Tridecanoic acid is an important product of the industrial chemical industry.

It is used as a monomer in the manufacture of polyesters for films, fibers, bottles and other containers, and also as an intermediate in the synthesis of various plasticizers.

Toxicity Of Tridecanoic Acid

High doses of tridecanoic acid can potentially be toxic, causing swelling, anorexia, and various other signs.

However, the mechanisms of action of tridecanoic acid are not clear and are in need of further studies.

Foods You Can Find Tridecanoic Acid In

You find tridecanoic acid mostly in spices and herbs, dairy and eggs, sauces and gravies, and sweets.

Examples of food sources include

Foods in our nutrition tool

You can find regularly updated top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

If you are interested in what foods contain the most tridecanoic acid, we recommend you visit our tool.

Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Tridecanoic Acid (13:0).

Sara Niemelä

co-founder Care Omnia, Head Content Creator

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Nutrition is my passion. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours reading, analyzing, categorizing and comparing research studies.

I’m a wife and a mother of three. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.