Omega hydroxy acids (also known as ω-hydroxy acids) are a class of naturally occurring straight-chain
aliphatic organic acids
n carbon atoms long with a
carboxyl group at position 1 and a
hydroxyl at position
n. The C16 and C18 omega hydroxy acids 16-hydroxy
palmitic acid and 18-hydroxy
stearic acid are key monomers of
cutin in the
plant cuticle. The
polymer cutin is formed by inter-
esterification of omega hydroxy acids and derivatives of them that are substituted in mid-chain, such as 10,16-dihydroxy palmitic acid. Only the epidermal cells of plants synthesize cutin.