Coconut oil fatty acid composition on a jar label

by Stephen Hewitt | Published 30 November 2020

Label showing a table with lauric, myristic, caprylic, and other fatty acid percentages. The label also states that 5g of oil typically provides “3,200mg MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides)” and provides other information.
Virgin coconut oil “fatty acid profile (major acids)” - analysis on the label of an “Optima” jar of organic cold-pressed coconut oil photographed in 2014
Label on a jar showing “Optima raw virgin coconut oil” and pieces of broken coconut
The 500ml jar of organic raw virgin cold-pressed coconut oil from “Optima”

Table 1 shows an analysis of fatty acids in raw virgin coconut oil as shown on the label of a 500ml jar bought in a shop. The photograph, taken in 2014, shows the label itself.

Table 1: coconut oil “fatty acid profile (major acids)” - from the label of an “Optima” jar of organic cold-pressed coconut oil photographed in 2014
Fatty Acid percentage
Lauric C12:0 (MCT) 49%
Myristic C14:0 12%
Caprylic C8:0 (MCT) 8%
Palmitic C16:0 8%
Capric C10:0 (MCT) 6%
Oleic C18:1 5%
Stearic C18:0 3%
Caproic C6:0 (MCT) 1%
Linoleic C18:2 1.8%

Table 2 below shows other figures from the same label, for a teaspoon (5g) of coconut oil.

Table 2: For 5g of coconut oil the same jar label says that “typical analysis provides” the figures here.
MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) 3,200mg
Linoleic (Omega 6) 90mg
Oleic acid (Omega 9) 250mg

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