Coconut oil

• BPRefined Coconut Oil
• Ph. Eur.Coconut Oil, Refined
• USP–NFCoconut Oil

Cocos nucifera oil; cocois oleum raffinatum; coconut butter; copra oil; refined coconut oil

Coconut oil (refined fixed oil; mixed triglycerides rich in lauric and myristic acids) · [8001-31-8]

Polymer, mixture or material of variable composition — no single molecular formula applies.

Oleaginous vehicle, Semi-solid base, emollient

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Semi-solid

Used as an oily vehicle, emollient and ointment or cream base in topical preparations, and in cosmetics, soaps and foods. Because it melts close to body temperature it has also been used in suppository bases and in lipid-based oral formulations. It may form the whole oil phase of a product, so the level is set by the formulation rather than by a fixed range.

A white to pale yellowish, soft, fatty mass at cool room temperature that melts to a clear, pale yellow oil, with a slight odour of coconut. It is one of the most saturated vegetable oils, consisting mainly of medium- and long-chain saturated triglycerides.

Melting range

about 23–26 °C

Fatty-acid composition

lauric acid about 40–50% and myristic acid about 15–20%, with smaller amounts of caprylic, capric, palmitic, oleic and stearic acids

Iodine value

low, about 7–11

Solubility

freely soluble in dichloromethane and light petroleum; very slightly soluble in ethanol; practically insoluble in water

Its high saturation makes it relatively resistant to oxidative rancidity, but it can still turn rancid, particularly by hydrolysis in the presence of moisture and lipases. Store in a well-filled, airtight container protected from light, in a cool place.

Incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

Obtained by expression or solvent extraction of the dried kernel (copra) of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, followed by refining (neutralisation, bleaching and deodorisation).

Widely consumed as a food and generally regarded as non-toxic and non-irritant when applied to the skin. Occasional skin sensitisation has been reported.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Spilt oil makes floors slippery.

Used in topical medicines and widely in foods and cosmetics. Refined coconut oil is described in the USP–NF and Ph. Eur.

Hydrogenated coconut oil; medium-chain triglycerides (fractionated coconut oil); palm kernel oil.

Do not confuse coconut oil with fractionated coconut oil (medium-chain triglycerides), which is a liquid of different composition and lower viscosity. Because coconut oil melts near room temperature, products made with it can change in consistency with seasonal temperature changes.