Lauric Acid
Product Description
Lauric acid or dodecanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid. It is found in many vegetable fats, particularly in coconut and palm kernel oils.
Product:
Lauric Acid
CAS:
143-07-7
Synonym:
Dodecanoic Acid; Dodecylic Acid
Structure:
Typical Characteristics
Appearance
White or faintly yellowish crystalline solid
Boiling point
297 - 299 °C
Density
0.833 g/cm3
Flash Point
160 °C
Melting point
42 - 44 °C
Molecular Weight
200.32
Odor
Mild sweet pungent
Purity
98%
Refractive index
1.427
Uses, Applications & Markets
Key applications
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Lauric Acid used in many
industry applications
Lauric acid is a chemical compound with various industrial applications. Here's a list of some of its uses:
- Food Industry: Lauric acid is commonly used in the food industry as an ingredient in food products and food additives. It is found naturally in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and other vegetable fats. Lauric acid is used as a flavoring agent, emulsifier, and preservative in processed foods, confectionery, and baked goods.
- Personal Care Products: It is used in the formulation of personal care products, including soaps, shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics. Lauric acid serves as a surfactant, foaming agent, and cleansing agent, helping to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin and hair.
- Pharmaceuticals: Lauric acid is used in the pharmaceutical industry as an excipient and carrier for drug delivery systems. It is used in the production of oral medications, topical ointments, and suppositories. Lauric acid helps improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
- Industrial Lubricants: It is used as a lubricant and lubricant additive in various industrial applications, including metalworking fluids, hydraulic fluids, and cutting oils. Lauric acid provides lubrication, corrosion protection, and heat dissipation in machining and metal forming operations.
- Surfactants: Lauric acid and its derivatives are used as surfactants and emulsifiers in various industrial and household products, including detergents, cleaning agents, and emulsion paints. They help reduce surface tension, improve wetting, and stabilize emulsions.
- Cosmetics: Lauric acid is used in the cosmetics industry as a raw material for the production of skincare products, hair care products, and makeup. It functions as an emollient, moisturizer, and thickening agent in cosmetic formulations, enhancing their texture and performance.
- Plastics: It is used as a plasticizer and plastic additive in the production of plastics and elastomers. Lauric acid improves the flexibility, softness, and processability of plastic materials, making them suitable for applications such as packaging films, molded parts, and flexible tubing.
- Textile Processing: Lauric acid is used in textile processing as a softening agent and sizing agent for natural and synthetic fibers. It helps to improve fabric softness, hand feel, and dye uptake during the dyeing and finishing processes.
- Biomedical Research: Lauric acid and its derivatives are used in biomedical research for studying various biological processes and disease mechanisms. They are used in cell culture experiments, drug screening assays, and in vitro studies to investigate their effects on cell growth, metabolism, and signaling pathways.
- Animal Feed: Lauric acid is used as a feed additive in animal nutrition to improve the energy content and palatability of feed formulations. It is added to livestock feed, poultry feed, and pet food to enhance animal growth, health, and feed efficiency.