Brassylic acid

Brassylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid with the molecular formula - HOOC(CH2)11COOH - is a fatty acid which can be technically extracted from erucic acid together with pelargonic acid. The compounds of the brassy acids are used in the food and cosmetic industry.

This refers e.g. to ethylene brassylate, an ethylene glycol diester of brassy acid. The macrocyclic compound has a sweet musky scent and is sold under the name Musk T.

The dimethyl ester of brassyl acid(dimethyl brassylate) is used in cosmetic formulations as skin care products and emollients.

Note: Brassylic acid (undecanedicarboxylic acid) is detected as an excessive fatty acid in addition to phytic acid (Zellweger syndrome) and cerotic acid (adrenoleukodystrophy) as pathological excretion products in the urine of children with congenital adrenoleukodystrophy or Zellweger syndrome.