"Lauric Acid (CAS 143-07-7) is a medium-chain fatty acid widely used in daily chemical, food, nutrition and pharmaceutical industries. It has good stability and natural antibacterial properties and is the preferred raw material for Clean Label products."
-Deshangchemical
In today's globalized industrial and consumer markets, lauric acid CAS 143-07-7 (lauric acid), as a medium-chain saturated fatty acid with a wide range of sources and extremely diverse applications, is gradually becoming one of the core basic raw materials that many industries pay close attention to. This seemingly ordinary compound actually contains huge application potential and commercial value. Just like a bright pearl, it shines brightly in many fields such as fine chemicals, daily chemicals, nutrition, medicine and functional materials.
Basic properties of lauric acid CAS 143-07-7
Lauric acid, also known as dodecanoic acid, is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid with a carbon chain length of 12. It is usually in the form of a white crystalline powder with a slight fatty aroma. Its main natural sources include coconut oil and palm kernel oil, in which the content of lauric acid can be as high as 45percent or more, making it one of the important raw materials for extracting natural fatty acids.
From the perspective of chemical properties, the molecular formula of lauric acid CAS 143-07-7 is C₁₂H₂₄O₂, the molecular weight is 200.32, the melting point is 44-46°C, and it has good thermal stability. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohols and a variety of organic solvents. It has strong formula compatibility and is suitable for a variety of complex chemical environments.
The outstanding performance of lauric acid in the daily chemical industry
In the daily chemical industry, lauric acid is one of the most common fatty acid raw materials in soap-based products. It reacts with alkaline substances to form laurate, which has excellent foaming, emulsifying and cleaning properties and is widely used in soap, facial cleansing products, shampoo and baby skin care product formulas.
Because lauric acid has mild degreasing power, good skin feel, and is friendly to sensitive skin, it is used as a core fatty acid raw material in more and more "non-irritating" and "natural source" personal care products.
Application of lauric acid CAS 143-07-7 in food and nutrition
In the field of nutrition, lauric acid, as one of the representatives of medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs), has the characteristics of rapid metabolism and energy supply and is not easy to store fat. It is often used in sports nutrition foods, fat-reducing functional drinks, plant-based dairy products, etc.
CAS 143-07-7 has been listed as a GRAS ingredient (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA and is widely used in non-dairy cream, flavor and fragrance carriers, flavored dairy products, fruit and vegetable processing, etc. Its natural antibacterial properties also make it an ideal choice for green preservation, especially for extending the shelf life of food.
Potential of lauric acid in the field of medicine and health
Studies have shown that lauric acid CAS 143-07-7 has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori. Its metabolites are safe and low in toxicity. They are widely used in creams, topical ointments, and liposome drug delivery systems. It is one of the preferred materials for the development of pharmaceutical matrices.
Extended industrial use of lauric acid CAS 143-07-7
Lauric acid is also an important basic raw material for many synthetic products such as surfactants, lubricants, and polymer modifiers. In the electronics industry, its lithium salt (lithium laurate) is used in high-energy lithium battery materials; in the field of flavors and fragrances, the milk fat properties of lauric acid help create a soft and natural aroma effect and enhance the flavor level of the product.
Global market trends and development prospects
Thanks to the natural sustainable development trend and the strong growth of the Asia-Pacific market, the global demand for lauric acid CAS 143-07-7 continues to rise. With its multiple advantages such as moderate cost, natural safety, and wide application, it has become the core fatty acid source of the "Clean Label" formula. Especially in the Southeast Asian, Indian and Chinese markets, the industrial chain supporting lauric acid is becoming increasingly complete, and the market potential cannot be underestimated.
Conclusion
As a medium-chain fatty acid raw material that combines tradition and innovation, lauric acid CAS 143-07-7 is playing an irreplaceable role in many industries such as food, daily chemicals, medicine, and industrial chemistry with its excellent physical and chemical properties and ecological safety. In the future, as consumers' understanding of natural, green, and functional products continues to deepen, lauric acid's global market influence will further expand, becoming one of the key resources for global raw material companies to deploy sustainable development.
