Food-grade 99% TRIOCTANOIN 538-23-8

What is Glycerol tricaprylate?

Glycerol tricaprylate, also known as tricaprylin, trioctanoin, or glyceryl trioctanoate (GTC), is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) formed by the esterification of one molecule of glycerol with three molecules of caprylic acid (C8:0). Its chemical formula is usually written as:

C27H50O6 (CH3(CH2)6COO-CH2-CH(OOC(CH2)6CH3)-CH2OOC(CH2)6CH3, CAS No.: 538-23-8, EINECS No.: 208-686-5, molecular weight approximately 470.68)

It is a colorless to pale yellow, clear, oily liquid at room temperature, almost odorless, with a melting point of about 9-10℃, a boiling point of about 233℃ (1 mmHg), a relative density of about 0.956 (20℃), a refractive index of about 1.448, and a flash point of about 225℃. Trioctyl glycerol is insoluble in water but readily soluble in most organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. It exhibits good chemical and thermal stability, extremely low vapor pressure, and is almost non-volatile at room temperature.

From a molecular structure perspective, all three hydroxyl groups on the glycerol backbone of glycerol tricaprylate are esterified with caprylate, resulting in a symmetrical "trifleurone" structure. The three C8 straight-chain fatty acid "tails" endow it with low polarity, low viscosity, and good spreadability. Compared with long-chain triglycerides (such as trioleic acid glycerides in soybean oil), caprylic acid has a shorter chain and a smaller molecular weight, resulting in lower viscosity, faster penetration, and a refreshing, non-greasy feel on the skin—this is the structural basis for its use as a "lightweight carrier oil" in cosmetics.

Chemically, glyceryl tricaprylate is a saturated fatty acid ester. Its molecule does not contain unsaturated double bonds, exhibiting good antioxidant properties and chemical stability. It is not easily oxidized or rancid, and is gentle on the skin with virtually no irritation. It can be refined from caprylic acid and glycerol in coconut oil and palm kernel oil through esterification. Its oral toxicity in animals is extremely low (LD50 in rats is approximately 33,300 mg/kg).

Non-food grade tricaprylates refer to products not used in food or health product processing, but intended for cosmetic, industrial, and scientific research applications. These mainly include cosmetic grade, industrial grade, and reagent grade specifications. Compared to food grade, non-food grade products focus more on the following indicators:

Purity and Impurity Control

High content of essential components and strict control of impurities such as monoglycerides, diglycerides, free glycerol and residual catalysts are needed for cosmetics and industrial applications.

acid value

The acid value shows the free octanoic acid content. Too high acid value can influence odour, stability and compatibility with downstream formulations and is an important quality control indicator.

Peroxide value and moisture

Peroxide value is used to measure the degree of oxidative deterioration and moisture affects storage stability and clarity both of which must be strictly controlled.

Color (APHA)

The liquid should be colorless to slightly yellow and clear. Abnormal color often indicates problems with the purity of the raw materials or process control.

Heavy metal limits

When used in cosmetics, there are strict limits on heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, which are important safety indicators.

II . What are the uses of Glycerol tricaprylate?

1. Cosmetic and Personal Care Raw Materials (Cosmetic Grade, Core Application)

Tricaprylic acid esters are high quality emollients, spreaders and carrier oils for skincare and cosmetic products. You can find them in lotions, creams, lipsticks, sunscreens, makeup removers and baby care products. They give a refreshing, non-greasy feel and improve the antifreeze properties of the formula. They are oil soluble materials that have been approved for use in cosmetic safety technical specifications.

2. Fat composition of infant formula (core application)

Caprylic triglyceride is a medium chain triglyceride ingredient used in infant formula, particularly for premature infants and infants with low birth weight. For babies with immature digestive system, it helps them absorb fat quickly and get energy. It shall be used as required by applicable infant formula standards.

3. Industrial Lubricants and Metalworking Fluids (Industrial Grade)

Glyceryl trioctyl ester has low viscosity, high flash point and good lubrication properties. It is used as a base oil component and additive in industrial lubricants, metalworking fluids and rust inhibitors, serving machining and equipment lubrication.

4. Plasticizers and polymeric additives (industrial grade)

Glyceryl trioctyl ester can be used as a plasticizer for plastics and an aid in polymer processing to improve the flexibility and processing performance of resins. It is applied to the modification of PVC and other plastic products and polymer materials.

5. Industrial solvents and diluents (industrial grade)

Glyceryl trioctyl ester is well soluble and can be used as solvent and diluent for dyes, paints, inks and industrial cleaning agents, to help dissolve pigments and additives and adjust the viscosity of the system.

6. Health foods and dietary supplements (MCT oil)

MCT oil is often used as an ingredient in health foods and dietary supplements. Tricaprylate is used as an energy supplement in energy supplement products and as a base for the contents of health food soft capsules. It is used for rapid energy replenishment and to improve the absorption of fat-soluble components.

7. Sports nutrition and energy supplement products

Tricaprylic acid esters are utilised in sports energy gels, meal replacement shakes, energy drinks and endurance supplements to deliver a fast and efficient energy source for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

8. Release agents and anti-sticking agents for food processing

Trioctyl glycerol is employed as a release agent and anti-stick agent in the food industry. It is used for release and prevention of sticking in baked products, candies, pastries and other foods, for improving the operability in processing and the appearance of the product.

9. Fragrance and Flavor Carriers and Diluents

Trioctyl glycerol is used as solvent and diluent for flavourings in food flavouring systems. This helps the flavourings to spread out evenly, giving off aromas steadily. It is often used to flavour drinks, candies and baked goods.

10. Candy and Chocolate Coatings and Microcapsule Carriers

Tricaprylic acid esters are used in coatings and polishing of candies and chocolates, and also in spray-dried microencapsulation and flavor encapsulation.

11. Scientific Reagents and Biochemical Raw Materials (Reagent Grade)

Trioctyl ester is an important reagent and standard in lipid chemistry and medium-chain triglyceride research. It is used in lipid metabolism and nutritional studies, and is also a common raw material for custom synthesis and biochemical analysis.

It should be noted that non-food grade specifications do not mean "risk-free": although triglycerides themselves are low in toxicity and mild, industrial grade products may contain processing impurities and cannot be used in food or health products; during handling, avoid accidental ingestion, contact with eyes and prolonged skin contact, and keep away from fire sources.

Summarize

Glycerol tricaprylate (also known as tricaprylyl glycerol, tricaprylin, or tricaprylin) is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) formed by the esterification of glycerol with three caprylic molecules. At room temperature, it is a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid, chemically stable, low in toxicity, mild, and has a refreshing feel on the skin. In daily life, we indirectly come into contact with it through skincare and cosmetic products, body care and baby products, hair care and makeup products, fragrances and flavorings, and industrial supply chains. In the non-food sector, cosmetic-grade glycerol tricaprylate is widely used in moisturizing creams, lipsticks, sunscreens, and other daily chemical products, while industrial and reagent-grade products serve lubrication, plasticizing, solvent, and scientific research testing scenarios. It serves as a lightweight carrier oil connecting "daily use" with "daily chemicals, industry, and scientific research."