potassium oleate is a solid or liquid potassium salt of oleic acid, a long-chained fatty acid. It is colorless when pure, but becomes brownish upon exposure to light and air.
Consumption of dietary oils rich in oleic acid is associated with reduced levels of harmful low-density lipoproteins and increased levels of beneficial high-density lipoproteins. In addition, it can lower blood glucose and insulin levels, thus improving the control of diabetes.
It is also used as a rubber emulsifier, foaming agent, release agent, cleaning agent, lubricant and surfactant. It is widely used as a potassium catalyst for the reaction of polyurethane rigid polyisocyanurate and is extensively applied in the fields of textile, paper, rubber, foam insulation and synthetic detergents.
A study has demonstrated that C18:1K potassium oleate can have anti-influenza virus effects. It can significantly reduce the infectivity of human influenza A (H3N2) virus in vitro and has a positive value for the enthalpy change, suggesting that it exhibits an exothermic interaction with the virus. It is also more effective than sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
potassium oleate is the chief fatty acid found in olive oil, which has been hailed for its therapeutic properties since ancient times. It has been shown to help lower the level of harmful low-density lipoproteins in the blood, while leaving the levels of good HDL cholesterol unchanged. It is also present in significant quantities in other edible oils, including canola, cod liver, soybean, coconut, and palm oils.