Stearic acid, another name for octadecanoic acid CH3(CH2)16COOH, is one of the most common fatty acids. It exists as a glycerol ester in most animal and plant fats (Beare-Rogers, Dieffenbacher, & Holm, 2001). Stearic acid is more abundant in animal fat (up to 30%) than vegetable fat (typically <5%). The important exceptions are cocoa butter and shea butter, in which the stearic acid content (as a triglyceride) is 28-45%. Unlike the other long-chain saturated fatty acids, stearic acid has no effect on lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in men or women (Yu, Derr, Etherton, & Kris-Etherton, 1995). Results from the study byKelly et al. (2001)indicate that stearic acid (19 g/day) in the diet has favorable effects on thrombogenic and atherogenic risk factors in males; the authors recommend that the food industry consider enriching foods with stearic acid instead of palmitic acid and trans fatty acids. Thus, stearic acid is nontoxic and biocompatible with the human body. With a polar head group that can bind with metal cations and a nonpolar chain that confers solubility inorganic solvents, stearic acid is commonly used in the production of detergents, soaps, and cosmetics, such as shampoos and shaving cream products.