Lauric acid is a saturated fat. It is found in many vegetable fats, particularly in coconut and palm kernel oils.
How do you get lauric acid?
The primary sources of lauric acid are:
- dietary supplements.
- coconut oil — the highest natural source of lauric acid.
- coconut cream, raw.
- coconut cream, canned.
- fresh shredded coconut.
- coconut cream pudding.
- coconut milk.
- human breast milk.
How is lauric acid extracted?
The coconut oil extracted was heated in a water bath in the presence of sodium hydroxide (10M solution of NaOH). This converted the coconut oil into lauric acid and glycerin as two distinct layers and then lauric acid was separated. Lauric acid is white solid at room temperature, it reacts rapidly with oxygen.
