8001-31-8

White or almost white, unctuous mass

White or light-yellow to orange semi-solid. Density 0.92 g / cm3 and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Nontoxic. Contains principally glycerides of myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids.

Insoluble in water.

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.

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

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. It consists primarily of the glycerides of the fatty acids capric, lauric, myristic, oleic and palmitic.

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.

Coconut oil is a saturated fat (82-92%) extracted from coconut flesh, rich in lauric acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants. Dietary intake should be limited due to its LDL-raising potential. Topically, it serves as a moisturizer and hair conditioner; lauric acid has in vitro antimicrobial activity. Refined oil has a smoke point of ~204°C for moderate heat cooking; virgin oil smokes at ~177°C for baking.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.