A differential scanning calorimetry study on the oxidation of C12-C18 saturated fatty acids and their esters

Abstract  The autoxidation of lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids, their ethyl esters, and palmitic and stearic triglycerides was investigated by means of the isothermal and nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry methods under oxygen flow. The activation energies of oxidation of all investigated compounds were similar (106.0–134.3 kJ/mol) and did not depend on length of the carbon chain. Kinetic parameters of start of the oxidation were similar for each investigated fatty acid and ester. Esterification of carboxyl group did not interfere with the reaction rate. The study showed good agreement between isothermal and nonisothermal data.