Coconut Oil
Coconut oil.
Coconut oil
[8001-31-8].» Coconut Oil is the refined fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Cocos nucifera Linné (Fam. Palmae).
Packaging and storage—
Preserve in tight, light-resistant, well-filled containers. No storage requirement specified.
Identification—
It meets the requirements of the test for Fatty acid composition.
and 26
Acid value 
401
:
not more than 0.5, determined on 20.0 g.
401:
not more than 0.5, determined on 20.0 g.
Peroxide value 401:
not more than 5.0.
401:
not more than 5.0.
Unsaponifiable matter 401:
not more than 1.0%.
401:
not more than 1.0%.
Fatty acid composition—
Coconut Oil exhibits the following composition profile of fatty acids, as determined in the section Fatty Acid Composition under Fats and Fixed Oils 401:
401:
| Carbon-Chain Length |
Number of Double Bonds |
Percentage (%) |
| 6 | 0 |  1.5 |
| 8 | 0 | 5.0–11.0 |
| 10 | 0 | 4.0–9.0 |
| 12 | 0 | 40.0–50.0 |
| 14 | 0 | 15.0–20.0 |
| 16 | 0 | 7.0–12.0 |
| 18 | 0 | 1.5–5.0 |
| 20 | 0 | 0.2 |
| 16 | 1 | 1.0 |
| 18 | 1 | 4.0–10.0 |
| 18 | 2 | 1.0–3.0 |
| 18 | 3 | 0.2 |
| 20 | 1 | 0.2 |
Water, Method I 921:
not more than 0.1%, 50 mL of chloroform being used as the solvent instead of 35 to 40 mL of methanol.
921:
not more than 0.1%, 50 mL of chloroform being used as the solvent instead of 35 to 40 mL of methanol.
Arsenic, Method II 211:
not more than 0.5 µg per g.
211:
not more than 0.5 µg per g.
Alkaline impurities—
Mix 10 mL of freshly distilled acetone and 0.3 mL of water, and add 0.05 mL of bromophenol blue TS. Neutralize the solution to green color if necessary with 0.01 N hydrochloric acid or 0.01 N sodium hydroxide. Add 10 mL of Coconut Oil, shake, and allow to stand. Titrate with 0.01 N hydrochloric acid VS to change the color of the upper layer to yellow: not more than 0.1 mL of 0.01 N hydrochloric acid VS is required.
Auxiliary Information—
Please check for your question in the FAQs before contacting USP.
| Topic/Question | Contact | Expert Committee |
| Monograph | Hong Wang, Ph.D.
Scientist 1-301-816-8351 |
(EM205) Excipient Monographs 2 |
USP32–NF27 Page 1208
Pharmacopeial Forum: Volume No. 32(2) Page 397