Oleoylethanolamide powder (OEA)

What’s Oleoylethanolamide (OEA)?

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a naturally occurring lipid molecule that regulates appetite, fat metabolism, and energy balance. CAS number 111-58-0, OEA is also known as N-Oleoylethanolamide. This white to off-white powder has the molecular formula C20H39NO2 and a molecular weight of 325.53 g/mol. It is soluble in ethanol and other organic solvents but insoluble in water. Key benefits of OEA supplements include promoting weight management by reducing hunger and supporting healthy lipid metabolism, making them popular in dietary supplements for weight control and metabolic health.

Oleoylethanolamide consists of three words: oleoyl ethanol amide (so you can pronounce and memorize it more easily). However, Oleoylethanolamide is still too long for users to learn, and experts use OEA to refer to it. (The first letter of the three words)

Oleoylethanolamide is a natural metabolite of oleic acid made in the small intestine within the human body. It is naturally occurring, and experts call it “endogenous.”

Oleylethanolamide VS cannabinoid anandamide

The effects of Oleylethanolamide supplements were first studied because they share similarities with another chemical, the cannabinoid anandamide. Cannabinoids are related to the plant Cannabis, and anandamide present in the plant (and marijuana) can increase a person’s desire to snack by triggering a feeding response. According to Wikipedia, Oleoylethanolamide is the monounsaturated analog of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Although OEA has a chemical structure similar to anandamide, its effects on eating and weight management differ. Unlike anandamide, OEA acts independently of the cannabinoid pathway, regulating PPAR-α activity to stimulate lipolysis.

Structures of various fatty-acid ethanolamides: oleoylethanolamide (OEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA). (Cima Science Co., Ltd is the only manufacturer of bulk raw materials of China’s OEA, PEA, and AEA. If you need a sample and price quote, please email us on the Contact Us page.)

OEA binds with high affinity to the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-a (PPAR-a), a nuclear receptor regulating several aspects of lipid metabolism.

Natural sources of oleoylethanolamide

The OEA ingredient is a natural metabolite of oleic acid. Therefore, foods containing oleic acid are a direct source of OEA.

Oleic acid is the primary fat in vegetable oils such as olive, canola, and sunflower. It can also be found in nut oils, meat, poultry, and cheese.

Dietary sources rich in oleic acid include:

• Canola Oil
• Olive Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Almond Oil
• Avocados
• High Oleic Safflower Oil

Some popular fat sources for high oleic acid in the table:

Some facts about Oleic Acid:

• One of the most common fats in human breast milk
• Makes up 25% of fat in cow’s milk
• Monounsaturated
• Omega-9 fatty acid
• Chemical formula is C18H34O2(CAS 112-80-1)
• Hangs out with triglycerides
• It is used in high-priced cosmetics as a very effective moisturizer
• Found in milk fat, cheese, olive oil, grapeseed oil, nuts, avocados, eggs and meat
• It may be responsible for most of olive oil’s health benefits.

The manufacturing process of Oleoylethanolamide

Cima Science Co., Ltd may be the only OEA manufacturer in China with mass production. The flow chart of Oleoylethanolamide is below:

The process starts with selecting high-quality raw materials, typically oleic acid derivatives and ethanolamine, which must meet strict purity standards. The key step is the amidation reaction, where oleic acid reacts with ethanolamine under controlled conditions to form oleoylethanolamide (OEA). Precise control of reaction parameters ensures high yield and minimal by-products.

After the reaction, the crude OEA mixture, containing impurities and unreacted materials, undergoes multi-step purification, including filtration, solvent extraction, and recrystallization. This process achieves high purity, typically ≥95% or ≥98% as measured by HPLC. The purified solution is then crystallized under controlled conditions to produce stable oleoylethanolamide crystals with consistent quality.

The crystals are dried under vacuum or low temperatures to remove residual solvents and moisture, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. The dried material is then milled and sieved to achieve uniform particle size, improving flowability and suitability for dietary supplements and functional products.

Each batch of oleoylethanolamide powder undergoes rigorous quality control testing, including assessments of purity (HPLC), loss on drying, heavy metals, and microbial limits. The finished product is packaged in sealed, moisture-resistant containers, such as aluminum foil bags or fiber drums, to maintain stability during storage and transport.

This standardized manufacturing process ensures that bulk oleoylethanolamide powder meets international quality standards and is suitable for weight management supplements, functional foods, and research applications.

If you have questions regarding the technical process, please feel free to contact us.

Benefits of OEA Supplements

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a naturally occurring lipid with numerous health benefits. It is widely studied for its roles in appetite regulation, weight management, cardiovascular health, and neuroprotection. Known for signaling satiety, OEA helps control hunger, support weight loss efforts, and enhance fat metabolism. Additionally, it may positively impact cardiovascular health by promoting balanced lipid levels, and its neuroprotective properties contribute to brain health and mood regulation, making it a valuable addition to dietary supplements.

• Appetite suppression: Helps manage hunger by signaling fullness, aiding in weight control.
• Weight management: Supports fat metabolism to assist in healthy weight loss.
• Cardiovascular health: Promotes balanced cholesterol levels for heart health.
• Neuroprotection: Potentially protects brain cells, contributing to long-term brain health.
• Mood regulation: May positively influence mood by affecting brain function.

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is not an FDA-approved drug or dietary supplement in the U.S. and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. Consult a healthcare professional before use.

Where to buy Oleoylethanolamide powder in bulk?

Cima Science Co., Ltd. is China’s largest manufacturer of bulk oleoylethanolamide. Ensure our OEA is in powder form as a raw material, rather than capsules or tablets. Some companies use oleoylethanolamide powder (standardized to 15% oleoylethanolamide) or oleoylethanolamide oleic acid 50% in their finished products. The Cima OEA specifications are 90% min, up to 95%, and the quality is satisfactory among our buyers in the United States and Europe.

Cima Science offers oleoylethanolamide capsules, powders, and tablets with private label and OEM services.

Currently, 20 tons of oleoylethanolamide 95% powder are in stock. Please email us if you want to buy oleoylethanolamide OEA for sale or know OEA pricing and technical documents, such as the certificate of analysis and MSDS.

FAQ

What’s the advantage of Cima’s OEA Oleoylethanolamide?
Cima is China’s First and only OEA (Oleoylethanolamide) manufacturer, with regular stock available.

What’s the MOQ for Cima OEA?
We don’t set an MOQ for OEA. You can order any amount between 1 kg and 1000kg.

References:

• Laleh, P., Yaser, K., & Alireza, O. (2018). Oleoylethanolamide: A novel pharmaceutical agent in the management of obesity‐an updated review. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 234(6), 7893–7902. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.27913
• Comella, F., Aragón-Herrera, A., Pirozzi, C., Feijóo-Bandin, S., Lama, A., Opallo, N., Melini, S., Del Piano, F., Gualillo, O., Meli, R., Mattace Raso, G., & Lago, F. (2024). Oleoylethanolamide mitigates cardiometabolic disruption secondary to obesity induced by high-fat diet in mice. Life Sciences, 359, 123226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123226
• Sihag, J., & Jones, P. J. H. (2017). Oleoylethanolamide: The role of a bioactive lipid amide in modulating eating behaviour. Obesity Reviews, 19(2), 178–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12630
• Brown, J. D., Karimian Azari, E., & Ayala, J. E. (2017). Oleoylethanolamide: A fat ally in the fight against obesity. Physiology & Behavior, 176, 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.02.034
• Bahari, H., Jazinaki, M. S., Aghakhani, L., Hatami, A., Rahnama, I., & Malekahmadi, M. (2025). Oleoylethanolamide supplementation on cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1553288
• Li, Y., Wu, C., Zhang, Y., Wang, Q., Huang, Y., Xie, Y., Yang, L., Xu, L., & Wang, S. (2025). Oleoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotection following ischemic stroke through microglial PPARα signal. International Immunopharmacology, 158, 114824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114824
• Cimmino, F., Silvestri, C., Trinchese, G., Petrella, L., Cavaliere, G., Fogliano, C., Piscitelli, F., Cristino, L., Avallone, B., Banni, S., Sihag, J., Di Marzo, V., & Mollica, M. P. (2025). Anti-obesity effects of Oleoylethanolamide: Modulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics, endocannabinoidome and gut microbiome. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 188, 118201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118201
• Tutunchi, H., Saghafi‐Asl, M., & Ostadrahimi, A. (2020). A systematic review of the effects of oleoylethanolamide, a high‐affinity endogenous ligand of PPAR‐α, on the management and prevention of obesity. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 47(4), 543–552. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1681.13238
• Rhodes, C. H., Hong, B. V., Tang, X., Weng, C.-Y., Kang, J. W., Agus, J. K., Lebrilla, C. B., & Zivkovic, A. M. (2024). Absorption, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardioprotective impacts of a novel fasting mimetic containing spermidine, nicotinamide, palmitoylethanolamide, and oleoylethanolamide: A pilot dose-escalation study in healthy young adult men. Nutrition Research, 132, 125–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.10.006
• Mennella, I., Boudry, G., & Val-Laillet, D. (2019). Ethanolamine Produced from Oleoylethanolamide Degradation Contributes to Acetylcholine/Dopamine Balance Modulating Eating Behavior. The Journal of Nutrition, 149(3), 362–365. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy281
• Ren, T., Ma, A., Zhuo, R., Zhang, H., Peng, L., Jin, X., Yao, E., & Yang, L. (2020). Oleoylethanolamide Increases Glycogen Synthesis and Inhibits Hepatic Gluconeogenesis via the LKB1/AMPK Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic Model. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 373(1), 81–91. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.119.262675
• Lin, L., Mabou Tagne, A., Squire, E. N., Lee, H.-L., Fotio, Y., Ramirez, J., Zheng, M., Torrens, A., Ahmed, F., Ramos, R., Plikus, M. V., & Piomelli, D. (2022). Diet-Induced Obesity Disrupts Histamine-Dependent Oleoylethanolamide Signaling in the Mouse Liver. Pharmacology, 107(7–8), 423–432. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524753
• Romano, A., Micioni Di Bonaventura, M. V., Gallelli, C. A., Koczwara, J. B., Smeets, D., Giusepponi, M. E., De Ceglia, M., Friuli, M., Micioni Di Bonaventura, E., Scuderi, C., Vitalone, A., Tramutola, A., Altieri, F., Lutz, T. A., Giudetti, A. M., Cassano, T., Cifani, C., & Gaetani, S. (2020). Oleoylethanolamide decreases frustration stress-induced binge-like eating in female rats: a novel potential treatment for binge eating disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(11), 1931–1941. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0686-z