Which type of fatty acid is found in palm oil and solid at room temperature?

The type of fatty acid that is found in palm oil and remains solid at room temperature is saturated fatty acid. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chain, which allows the molecules to pack closely together. This close packing contributes to a higher melting point, causing them to be solid at room temperature.

Palm oil, in particular, contains a significant amount of saturated fat, which contributes to its stable structure and ability to remain solid when not heated. In contrast, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats typically have one or more double bonds in their structure, which prevent tight packing and lead to a liquid state at room temperature. This is why oils like olive oil or vegetable oils, which contain higher amounts of unsaturated fats, are liquid at room temperature.