Sapienic acid is a fatty acid considered to be the major component of human sebum. This sebum fatty acid is exclusive to humans. Among all hair bearing animals, only humans could produce this fatty acid and is not found in any organ than skin. It is developed from palmitic acid by action of enzyme delta-desaturase.
The acid is under suspicion in the development of acne and possesses antibacterial activity. Delta-6-desaturation of palmitic acid results biosynthesis of sapienic acid. In other tissues, linoleic acid is the mark for delta 6 desaturase but linoleic acid is reduced in sebaceous cells that allows enzyme to desaturate palmitic to sapienic acid. Sebaleic acid, a two carbon extension product of sapienic acid is also found in sebum. It contains powerful antibacterial properties but the mechanisms have not been explored fully.
Food Sources
| Food name | Weight (g) | Sapienic acid (g) |
| Swiss cheese | 132 | 0.135 |
| Cheddar cheese | 132 | 0.133 |
| Queso blanco cheese | 118 | 0.092 |
| Kielbasa | 370 | 0.067 |
| Mozzarella cheese | 228 | 0.064 |
| Ricotta cheese | 124 | 0.037 |
| Beef | 85 | 0.037 |
| Lamb | 85 | 0.032 |
| Turkey | 113 | 0.031 |
| Potatoes | 229 | 0.025 |
| Chicken | 113 | 0.021 |
| Almonds | 143 | 0.017 |
| Light cream | 30 | 0.016 |
| Cream cheese | 14.5 | 0.016 |
| Oyster | 85 | 0.014 |
| Greek yogurt | 150 | 0.013 |
| Sunflower seed | 135 | 0.011 |
| Swordfish | 85 | 0.010 |
| Sockeye salmon | 85 | 0.009 |
| Butter | 3.8 | 0.009 |
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapienic_acid
https://www.matreya.com/Products/Hexadecenoic-acid-(icisi-6)__1243.aspx