Synthesis and characterization of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) from virgin coconut oil (VCO)

Medium-chain Triglyceride (MCT) consists of medium length fatty acids with much potential application, from becoming cancer treatment patient to dietary supplements. It found as a major constituent of coconut oil. This study prepared isolated Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) from virgin coconut oil (VCO) using low pressure fractionated distillation with a temperature of 130-140°C. This process produced 81.74% (w/w) of MCFAs and synthesis with glycerol to produce MCT, performed at 170°C/40kPa. The highest glycerol conversion and MCT yield has been obtained on esterification reaction in reaction time of 8 hours, gave a value of 99,17% (w/w).