MOLECULE

Hentriacontane

Hentriacontane, also known as untriacontane, is a long-chain hydrocarbon containing 31 carbons. It belongs to the class of organic compounds known as alkanes. These are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having the general formula CnH2n+2, and therefore consisting entirely of hydrogen atoms and saturated carbon atoms. Thus, hentriacontane is considered to be a hydrocarbon lipid molecule. Hentriacontane is a very hydrophobic molecule, insoluble in water, and fully neutral. It exists as a clear, waxy solid. Hentriacontane is found naturally in a number of common plants and foods including the common pea, gum arabic (acacia senegal), grapes, watermelons, papaya, coconuts, and sunflowers. It also comprises about 8-9% of beeswax. Hentriacontane has also been found to be a major component of Candelilla wax. Candelilla wax is a wax derived from the leaves of the small Candelilla shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The Candelilla shrub is a member of the Euphorbia plant genus, from the family Euphorbiaceae. Candelilla wax is used as a food additive and is used as a glazing agent. It also used in cosmetic industry, as a component of lip balms and lotion bars. One of its major uses is as a binder for chewing gums. Candelilla wax can be used as a substitute for carnauba wax and beeswax. It is also used for making varnish. Hentriacontane is one of many alkanes that are known in cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645). Hentriacontane is also found in cannabis smoke and is volatilized during the combustion of cannabis (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2). Hentriacontane has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, hentriacontane ameliorates the expression of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, PGE(2), COX-2 and iNOS) and the activation of NF-κB and caspase-1 in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages (PMID: 21394806). Hentriacontane is also thought to have antitumor and antimicrobial activities (PMID: 28549290).