Oil Composition and Quality Factors
| Relative Density |
(40 degrees Centigrade/water at 20 degrees Centigrade) 0.908 – 0.921 |
Refractive index |
(nD40 degrees C) 1.448 – 1.450 |
Saponification Value |
(mg KOH/g oil) 248 – 265 |
Iodine value |
(Wijs) 6 - 11 |
Unsaponifiable matter |
Not more than 15 g/kg |
Reichert value |
6 – 8.5 |
Polenske value |
13 - 18 |
Identity Characteristics
GLC ranges of Fatty Acid Composition
| Common Name |
Composition |
(%) |
Caproic acid |
C 6:0 |
0.4 – 0.6 |
Caprylic acid |
C 8:0 |
5.0 - 10 |
Capric acid |
C 10:0 |
4.5 – 8.0 |
Lauric acid |
C 12:0 |
43 - 51 |
Myristic acid |
C 14:0 |
16 - 21 |
Palmitic acid |
C 16:0 |
7.5 - 10 |
Stearic acid |
C 18:0 |
2.0 – 4.0 |
Oleic acid |
C18:1 |
5.0 – 10.0 |
Linoleic acid |
C 18:2 |
1.0 – 25 |
| |
C 18:3 C 24:1 |
< 0.5 |
Quality Characteristics
| Characteristics |
Requirements |
Clarity |
A fully transparent oil at or above 30 degrees C |
Colour (Platinum-cobalt scale) |
50 maximum |
Odour and Taste |
Mild fresh coconut (free from smoky soapy, rancid or foreign notes) |
Free fatty acids, as lauric acid, 0.2% maximum on packing |
Peroxide value Not more than 2 milli equivalents of peroxide oxygen per kilogram |
Filtration test (250 ml sample) |
Leaves no residue or staining on a Whatman No. 4 (or equivalent) filter paper |
Moisture and volatile matter |
0.1% maximum |
Definitions and Labelling
- DME coconut oil may be defined and labelled as "organic" because it is grown without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals and additives
- DME coconut oil may be defined and labelled as "cold pressed" due to the relatively low temperatures used to dry the grated coconut prior to pressing.
- DME coconut oil may be defined and labelled as "hand pressed" because the SAMTM Press is manually operated.
- DME coconut oil may be defined and labelled as "virgin", because other than expelling by pressure and settling, no other processes have been carried out to purify the oil.
- DME coconut oil may be defined and labelled as "Extra virgin", because it is made from the first and only pressing.
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