Lauric Acid 99% Min

Brief Overview

Saturated medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid, also known as dodecanoic acid, are present in coconut and palm kernel oils. It smells faintly like bay oil and appears as a white solid. It can dissolve in organic solvents but does not dissolve in water. Lauric acid is used in personal care products like shampoo and soap as well as in the food sector as a vegetable shortening.

Manufacturing Process

Lauric acid, found naturally in coconut oil, litsea cubeba kernel oil, palm kernel oil, and pepper kernel oil as glyceride, is industrially produced through the hydrolysis of natural oils and fats. The process involves introducing coconut oil, water, and a catalyst into the autoclave, resulting in hydrolysis at 250°C and 5 MPa pressure, yielding glycerol and fatty acid. Further distillation of the substance can isolate dodecanoic acid, constituting 45% to 80% of the content.

Pharmaceutical Industry
Lauric acid is utilized for treating patients with viral infections such as the common cold, and swine flu. The compound can inhibit virus growth, prevent the binding to the cell membrane, and the destruction of the cell membrane.

Food Industry
Lauric acid is used as a food shortening in baking to develop the tender and flaky texture of the food. 

Cosmetic Industry
Lauric acid is used as a raw material to manufacture soap and shampoo. The transesterification process between lauric acid and sodium hydroxide to create crude soap.