This odd numbered long-chain fatty acid is unusual in many biological systems and is therefore often useful as an internal standard.1 Tricosanoic acid is produced in some plants as well as in mammals (including humans) where it is more abundant as a skin lipid.2 Tricosanoic acid can be found acylated to various glyco-, phospho-, and sphingo- lipids including gangliosides.3 This fatty acid has been used recently, along with other fatty acids, as a hair growth stimulant.
