Caprylic Acid

Description

Brief Overview

Caprylic acid is a medium-chain fatty acid compound with a chemical formula of C₈H₁₆O₂. The chemical is a light-yellow liquid with a mild odor at room temperature. Traces of caprylic acid are found primarily on coconut oil and the compound is purified through distillation. Due to high acidity, the chemical quickly burns with oxygen under heat and corrodes metals.

Manufacturing Process

Initially, palm oil is extracted from palm fruit. The crude oil is refined, bleached, and deodorized to produce RBD palm oil. The fabrication of caprylic acid is achieved by saponification of palm oil. Saponification is the process of breaking down triglycerides in oil to form fatty acid chains and glycerine. Fractional distillation of fatty acid and glycerol yields caprylic acid. The melting point of various fatty acid chains varies. Fractional distillation collects the fatty acid distillate by allowing it to evaporate and condense at a specific temperature. Glycerol as a by-product is removed and fatty acid chains of caprylic acid are purified.