The garlic bulb (Allium sativum L.) has numerous medicinal applications and has shown anti-mycobacterial activity. In particular it has proved effective in contrasting Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra by means of its components: lauric acid and myristic acid (1).

However, care must be taken not to enrich the diet with two acids, palimitic acid and myristic acid, at the same time as it could lead to an increase in cholesterol and damage to the liver even if the most responsible is palmitic acid (2).

In combination with curcumin, myristic acid has proved to be a bactericide in particular against Staphylococcus epidermidis, responsible for nosocomial infections, ie those infections that contract in hospitals due to a low level of hygiene (3).

References_____________________

(1) Pharm Biol. 2016 Jun
Muniyan R, Gurunathan J.
Lauric acid and myristic acid from Allium sativum inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra: in silico analysis reveals possible binding to protein kinase

(2) Oncotarget. 2015 Dec
Martínez L, Torres S, Baulies A, Alarcón-Vila C, Elena M, Fabriàs G, Casas J, Caballeria J, Fernandez-Checa JC, García-Ruiz C.
Myristic acid potentiates palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity and steatohepatitis associated with lipodystrophy by sustaning de novo ceramide synthesis.

(3) Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo)
Liu CH, Huang HY.
Antimicrobial activity of curcumin-loaded myristic acid microemulsions against Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Myristic acid is found in many animal and vegetable fats, particularly in butter.

It is found in the palm and in the coconut.

It is used in cosmetics in shampoos, creams.

In the food field to adjust the taste.

In the medical field as an antibacterial and anti-hyperglycemic.

Myristic acid studies

Molecular formula: C₁₄H₂₈O₂

Molecular weight: 228.37

CAS: 544-63-8

Synonyms :

• Tetradecanoic acid
• Acidemyristique
• Acidetetradecanoique
• Kortacid1499
• Univol U

References__________________________________________

(1) Chronic administration of myristic acid improves hyperglycaemia in the Nagoya-Shibata-Yasuda mouse model of congenital type 2 diabetes.  Takato T, Iwata K, Murakami C, Wada Y, Sakane F.  Diabetologia. 2017 Oct;60(10):2076-2083. doi: 10.1007/s00125-017-4366-4.