Coconut oil

Coconut oil is obtained from coconuts, also known as coconut palms. It is a heat-stable whitish-yellowish, slightly rancid smelling oil, total fat content 60-70%, is soluble in 90% ethanol, not in water, melting point between 22-28°C, which is why it is usually in solid form at room temperature.

Oleum Cocos is a white to yellowish, slightly rancid smelling vegetable fat obtained from the pulp of coconut palm nuts. It has a total fat content of 60-70%. A distinction is made between virgin coconut oil and refined coconut oil (pressed at a higher temperature), which is monographed in Ph. Eur.8.

Coconut oil is used for frying and deep-frying. Please note the high calorie content: 900 kcal/100g.

A distinction is made between refined coconut oil and virgin (cold-pressed) coconut oil. The latter is used medicinally in skin care, e.g. for atopic dermatitis, and oral care.

In the cosmetics industry: Methylsilanol tri-PEG-8 glyceryl cocoate (INCI), Hydrogenated coco-glycerides (INCI).

Virgin coconut oil: triglycerides with medium-chain saturated fatty acids, 45% lauric acid, 20% myristic acid, 9% caprylic acid about 7% palmitic acid and other long-chain carboxylic acids.

Coconut oil has an antimicrobial and above all antifungal effect.

Increases the cholesterol level!

There are nomonographs on medicinal applications. The oil is popularly used for inflammatory dental diseases, poorly healing wounds and atopic dermatitis. It can also be used for skin and lip care.

In the cosmetics industry, the oil is used for soaps and creams.

1. Aerts O et al. (2016) The many faces of coconut oil derivatives: occupational hand dermatitis caused by a liquid soap containing cocamidopropylamine oxide. Contact Dermatitis 74:248-251.
2. Kaushik M et al. (2016) The Effect of Coconut Oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva in Comparison with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash. J Contemp Dent Pract 17:38-41.
3. Seleem D et al. (2016) In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of monolaurin against Candida albicans biofilms. PeerJ 4:e2148.
4. Shino B et al. (2016) Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorhexidine, Coconut Oil, Probiotics, and Ketoconazole on Candida albicans Isolated in Children with Early Childhood Caries: An In Vitro Study. Scientifica (Cairo) 2016:7061587.
5. Jayawardena R et al. ", Swarnamali H, Ranasinghe P, Misra A. Health effects of coconut oil: Summary of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analysis of interventional studies. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 Mar-Apr;15(2):549-555. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.02.032. Epub 2021 Mar 3. PMID: 33689936