Sodium caprate

Sodium caprate (CAS 1002-62-6), also known as sodium decanoate or sodium caprinate, is the sodium salt of capric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid derived from coconut and palm kernel oil. It carries no E-code designation and is commercially referenced under names including NAA 102.

In pharmaceutical formulations, sodium caprate functions as a permeation enhancer, transiently loosening tight junctions in intestinal epithelium to improve oral drug absorption. In food and personal care manufacturing, it acts as an emulsifier by reducing interfacial tension between oil and water phases, stabilising emulsions in processed foods and rinse-off cosmetic systems.

Sodium caprate is available in powder and crystalline grades suitable for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications, with quality benchmarks referenced against FCC and Ph.Eur. standards where applicable. The substance is subject to REACH registration requirements within the EU. Packaging formats typically include fibre drums and multi-wall bags for bulk procurement.