Heneicosanol (CAS 15594-90-8)

Heneicosanol is a long-chain fatty alcohol with 21 carbon atoms, often used in research to study the biophysical properties of lipid membranes and the role of long-chain alcohols in biological systems. This compound is particularly valuable in the study of wax biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. Researchers incorporate heneicosanol into model membrane systems to investigate its effects on membrane fluidity, phase transitions, and lipid packing. These studies help explain the influence of long-chain alcohols on the structural and dynamic properties of lipid bilayers. In addition to membrane biophysics, heneicosanol is used to explore the enzymatic activities involved in fatty alcohol metabolism. It serves as a substrate for fatty alcohol oxidases and dehydrogenases, enzymes that convert fatty alcohols into fatty acids and other derivatives. By examining these metabolic pathways, researchers can gain insights into the biochemical processes that regulate lipid homeostasis and energy storage. Heneicosanol is also employed in studies of plant waxes and cuticular lipids. Its role in the synthesis and composition of plant waxes makes it an important molecule for understanding plant physiology and adaptation to environmental stress. By analyzing the incorporation and metabolism of heneicosanol in plants, scientists can investigate the mechanisms underlying wax biosynthesis and its impact on plant surface properties. Overall, heneicosanol is a crucial tool in lipid research, contributing to our understanding of lipid biochemistry, membrane dynamics, and the metabolic pathways involving long-chain fatty alcohols. These studies advance knowledge in areas such as cellular membrane structure, energy metabolism, and plant biology.