8001-31-8

Basic information

• Product Name: Coconut oil
• Synonyms: Acidulatedcoconutsoapstock;Coconutacidulatedsoapstock;coconutbutter;Coconutextract;coconutoilfromcocosnucifera;coconutpalmoil;freecoconutoil;oils,coconut
• CAS NO: 8001-31-8
• Molecular Weight: 0
• EINECS: 232-282-8
• Product Categories: cosmetic
• Mol File: 8001-31-8.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 20-28 °C(lit.)
• Flash Point: 113 °C
• Appearance: White or almost white/low-melting solid
• Density: 0.903 g/mL at 25 °C
• Storage Temp.: 2-8°C
• Solubility: Practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in methylene chloride and in light petroleum (bp: 65-70 °C), very slightly soluble in ethanol (96 per cent).
• Water Solubility: insoluble
• CAS DataBase Reference: Coconut oil(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Coconut oil(8001-31-8)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Coconut oil(8001-31-8)

Safety Data

• Safety Statements: 24/25
• RIDADR: UN 1363 4.2/ PGIII
• RTECS: GG6040000
• F: 8-23
• HazardClass: 4.2
• PackingGroup: III
• Hazardous Substances Data: 8001-31-8(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Coconut oil is a semisolid, soft white or slightly yellow fat derived from the kernels of the coconut palm. It is composed primarily of short-chain fatty acids bonded with glycerine and is known for its stability when exposed to air.

Uses

Used in Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry:
Coconut oil is used as a cream base, raw material for soaps, ointments, massage creams, and in sunscreen formulations due to its semisolid consistency and emollient properties.
Used in Food Industry:
Coconut oil is used in confections, baked goods, and margarine. Its sharp melting character and narrow plastic range make it suitable for the preparation of shortenings where brittleness and a large change in consistency with a small temperature change are undesirable.
Used in Partially Hydrogenated Coconut Oil:
Partially hydrogenated coconut oil has hydrogen added to part of the unsaturated carbon bonds to provide a more solid consistency, making it suitable for various food applications.
However, it is important to note that coconut oil may be irritating to the skin and cause skin rashes, and it is also considered comedogenic.

Production Methods

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.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Coconut oil react with acids to liberate heat. Heat is also generated by interaction with caustic solutions. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing with alkali metals and hydrides. Reacts slowly with air to become rancid.

Health Hazard

Oil is essentially nontoxic, but can cause mild irritation of eyes on contact.

Pharmaceutical Applications

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 and nanoemulsions, intranasal solutions, and rectal capsules and suppositories. In addition, coconut oil has been reported to have antifungal activity against a range of Candida species. Coconut oil has been used therapeutically in a lotion for the eradication of head lice, and was included in a regime used to treat a patient who had ingested 16.8 g aluminum phosphide. 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.

Safety

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.

storage

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 258℃. Coconut oil may be combustible at high temperature, and may spontaneously heat and ignite if stored under hot and wet conditions.

Incompatibilities

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.

Regulatory Status

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.