What is MCT Oil? How is it made? And why we don’t sell it?

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What is MCT Oil:

MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil is typically made by extracting MCTs from coconut or palm kernel oil through a process called fractionation.  Specifically with Coconut Oil it is the removal of Lauric Acid from the Coconut Oil.  Lauric acid is then used in the pharmaceutical industry as an antimicrobial product.  So the best part is removed form the Coconut Kernel to produce MCT oil.  Here are the basic steps involved in making MCT oil:

  1. Extraction: Coconut or palm kernel oil is extracted from the fruit or kernel using a mechanical or chemical process.
  2. Fractionation: The oil is then subjected to fractionation, a process that separates the different types of fatty acids based on their chain length. MCTs, which have 6-12 carbon atoms, are separated from the other fatty acids that have longer chain lengths.
  3. Distillation and purification: The MCTs are then distilled and purified to remove any impurities and unwanted compounds.
  4. Packaging: Finally, the MCT oil is packaged and distributed for sale.

Some manufacturers may also use a process called esterification to produce synthetic MCTs. In this process, MCTs are chemically modified to create a pure form of the fatty acid that is easier to digest and absorbs more quickly into the body. However, synthetic MCTs are less common and may not have the same health benefits as natural MCTs.

 

HOW IS IT MADE:

Coconut oil is typically fractionated using a process called steam distillation or solvent extraction. Here are the basic steps involved in fractionating coconut oil:

  1. Extraction: The coconut meat is first dried and then pressed to extract the oil.
  2. Heating: The coconut oil is then heated to a specific temperature, typically around 100-110°F (38-43°C), which causes the oil to melt.
  3. Fractionation: The melted coconut oil is then passed through a series of filters or centrifuges that separate the different types of fatty acids based on their melting points. MCTs, which have lower melting points than other fatty acids, are separated from the other fatty acids that have higher melting points.
  4. Cooling: The separated MCTs are then cooled to solidify and separate them from the other fatty acids.
  5. Filtration: The solidified MCTs are then filtered to remove any impurities and unwanted compounds.
  6. Packaging: Finally, the MCT oil is packaged and distributed for sale.

It’s worth noting that different manufacturers may use slightly different processes for fractionating coconut oil. For example, some manufacturers may use chemical solvents to extract the MCTs, while others may use a combination of mechanical and chemical processes. However, the basic steps involved in fractionation are generally similar across different methods.

WHY WE DON’T SELL IT:

As we are a certified Organic Facility, and we only sell REAL Organic Coconut Oil the landscape of MCT manufacturing is very different for us.

Regardless of the use of chemical processes in the manufacture of MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil it can still be labelled organic if the coconut or palm kernel oil from which it is derived is certified organic.  It is for this reason we believ it to be an area that can have some grey areas, and as such we have made a business decision not to sell it.