Name: Coconut Oil
CAS No: Coconut oil [8001-31-8]
BP: Coconut Oil JP: Coconut Oil PhEur: Coconut Oil, Refined USP-NF: Coconut Oil
Aceite de coco; cocois oleum raffinatum; coconut butter; copra oil; oleum cocois; Pureco 76; refined coconut oil.
Coconut oil [8001-31-8]
4 Empirical Formula and Molecular Weight Coconut oil contains triglycerides, the fatty acid constituents of which are mainly lauric and myristic acids with smaller proportions of capric, caproic, caprylic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids. The PhEur 6.2 and USP32–NF27 state that the fatty acid composition for coconut oil is caproic acid (41.5%), caprylic acid (5.0–11.0%), capric acid (4.0–9.0%), lauric acid (40.0–50.0%), myristic acid (15.0–20.0%), palmitic acid (7.0–12.0%), stearic acid (1.5–5.0%), arachidic acid (40.2%), oleic acid (4.0–10.0%), linoleic acid (1.0–3.0%), linolenic acid (40.2%), and eicosenoic acid (40.2%)
See section 4
Coconut oil has traditionally been used in ointments where it forms a readily absorbable base. It has been used particularly in preparations intended for application to the scalp, where it could be applied as a solid but would liquefy when applied to the skin. Coconut oil is readily saponified by strong alkalis even in the cold and, as the soap produced is not readily precipitated by sodium chloride, it has been used in the making of ‘marine’ soap. Coconut oil may be used in the formulation of a range of other preparations including emulsions(1,2) and nanoemulsions,(3) intranasal solutions,(4) and rectal capsules(5) and suppositories.(6) In addition, coconut oil has been reported to have antifungal activity against a range of Candida species.(7) Coconut oil has been used therapeutically in a lotion for the eradication of head lice,(8) and was included in a regime used to treat a patient who had ingested 16.8 g aluminum phosphide.(9) Concern has been expressed at the potential use of coconut oil as a suntan lotion as it does not afford any protection against ultraviolet light.(10)
Coconut oil generally occurs as a white to light-yellow mass or colorless or light-yellow clear oil, with a slight odor characteristic of coconut and a mild taste. Refined coconut oil is a white or almost white unctuous mass. The form that coconut oil takes depends on temperature; it occurs as a pale yellow to colorless liquid between 288C and 308C, as a semisolid at 208C , and as a hard brittle crystalline solid below 158C.
See Table II Note: both the USP32–NF27 and PhEur 6.2 specify the fatty acid composition for coconut oil. In addition, the USP32–NF27 includes a specification for palmitoleic acid (40.1%).
Boiling point >4508C Flash point 2168C (closed cup) Iodine number 8–9.5 Melting point 23–268C Refractive index nD 40 = 1.448–1.450(11) Saponification number 255–258 Specific gravity 0.918–0.923 Solubility Practically insoluble in water; freely soluble in dichloromethane and in light petroleum (bp: 65–708C); soluble in ether, carbon disulfide, and chloroform; soluble at 608C in 2 parts of ethanol (95%) but less soluble at lower temperatures. Surface tension 33.4 mN/m (33.4 dyne/cm) at 208C; 28.4 mN/m (28.4 dyne/cm) at 808C
Coconut oil remains edible, and mild in taste and odor, for several years under ordinary storage conditions. However, on exposure to air, the oil readily oxidizes and becomes rancid, acquiring an unpleasant odor and strong acid taste. Store in a tight, well-filled container, protected from light at a temperature not exceeding 258C. Coconut oil may be combustible at high temperature, and may spontaneously heat and ignite if stored under hot and wet conditions.
Coconut oil reacts with oxidizing agents, acids and alkalis. Polyethylene is readily permeable to coconut oil. It has been shown that the increased force required to expel coconut oil from plastic syringes was due to uptake of the oil into the rubber plunger; this resulted in swelling of the rubber plunger and an increased resistance to movement down the syringe barrel.(12)
Coconut oil is the fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Cocos nucifera Linn. (Palmae). This oil is then refined to produce refined coconut oil, which is referred to in the coconut industry as RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized) coconut oil.
When administered orally, coconut oil is essentially nontoxic, although ingestion of large amounts may cause digestive or gastrointestinal irritation or upset. Coconut oil can act as an irritant when applied to the skin and when in contact with the eyes; it may be absorbed through the skin. Inhalation of mist or vapor may cause respiratory tract irritation
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of the material handled. Coconut oil should be kept away from heat and sources of ignition, and contact with oxidizing agents, acids, and alkalis should be avoided. If in the solid form, large spillages of coconut oil should be dealt with by shoveling the material into a waste disposal container. For liquid spillages, the oil should be absorbed with an inert material before removal for disposal.
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral capsules and tablets; topical creams, solutions, and ointments). Included in scalp ointments and therapeutic shampoos licensed in the UK.
Almond oil; canola oil; castor oil; castor oil, hydrogenated; corn oil; cottonseed oil; medium-chain triglycerides; olive oil; peanut oil; sesame oil; soybean oil; sunflower oil
A specification for coconut oil (unhydrogenated) is contained in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC).(13)