Coconut oil

Coconut oil (CAS 8001-31-8), also traded as copra oil, is a tropical vegetable fat extracted from the dried kernel of the coconut palm.

Where is Coconut oil used?

• Food manufacturing: frying medium, confectionery fat, shortening component in baked goods, snack coatings and compound chocolate
• Personal care: moisturizing base and emollient in skin creams, hair conditioners, lip balms and soap bars
• Home care and industrial cleaning: surfactant precursor
• Detergent and soap manufacturing: refined oil is saponified or transesterified into fatty acids and glycerol
• Dietary supplements and nutritional products: carrier
• It functions as an emollient, emulsifier and carrier base.
• Virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconuts by cold pressing.
• Refined coconut oil is produced from crude coconut oil through degumming, deacidification, decolorization, deodorization, and other refining processes.

Formulation notes

• Compatibility should be confirmed before substituting one coconut oil source or grade for another.

Typical specification

• Food grade coconut oil must have a free fatty acid (FFA) content below 0.1%.
• For refined coconut oil, the peroxide value must be under 10 meq/kg.
• Coconut oil has an iodine value between 7.5 and 11.0.
• Coconut oil has a saponification value between 248 and 265 mg KOH/g.
• Coconut oil is supplied as a liquid (refined and/or hydrogenated) and as a solid.

Regulatory status

• Coconut oil is covered by the Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils CXS 210-1999.
• Coconut oil has the INCI name Cocos Nucifera Oil.
• The product complies with European Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic agriculture.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Coconut oil solidifies below approximately 24 °C, requiring heated storage or warm-room liquefaction before decanting.
• Store the product in a cool, dry place (12°C-14°C), well ventilated and preferably away from light and heat sources.

Frequently asked questions about Coconut oil

What are the main grades of coconut oil?

Coconut oil is classified into crude coconut oil, refined coconut oil (RBD), and virgin coconut oil (VCO). It is available as a refined vegetable oil complying with Ph. Eu.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.