Caprylic acid (), also known under the systematic name octanoic acid or C8 Acid, is a saturated fatty acid, medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA). It has the structural formula , and is a colorless oily liquid that is minimally soluble in water with a slightly unpleasant rancid-like smell and taste.[ Carboxylate salt and of octanoic acid are known as octanoates or caprylates. The name of the related acyl group is octanoyl, capryloyl, or caprylyl.]
Two other acids are named after via the Latin word : caproic acid (C6) and capric acid (C10). Together, these three fatty acids comprise 15% of the fatty acids in goat milk fat.
Metabolism
Octanoyl-ACP
One of the products of the mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) pathway is octanoic acid bound to acyl carrier protein (ACP), also referred to as octanoyl-ACP.
Octanoyl-CoA
Caprylic acid plays an important role in the body's regulation of energy input and output, a function which is performed by the hormone ghrelin. The sensation of hunger is a signal that the body requires an input of energy in the form of food consumption. Ghrelin stimulates hunger by triggering receptors in the hypothalamus. In order to activate these receptors, ghrelin must undergo a process called acylation in which it acquires an acyl group, and caprylic acid provides this by linking at a specific serine site on ghrelin molecules. Other in the same position have similar effects on hunger.
Uses
Industrial and commercial use
Caprylic acid is used commercially in the production of used in perfumery and also in the manufacture of dyes.
The acyl chloride of caprylic acid is used in the synthesis of perfluorooctanoic acid.
Caprylic acid is an antimicrobial pesticide used as a food contact surface sanitizer in commercial food handling establishments on dairy equipment, food processing equipment, breweries, wineries, and beverage processing plants. It is also used as disinfectant in health care facilities and public places. In addition, caprylic acid is used as an algicide, bactericide, fungicide, and herbicide in nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, and interiors, and on ornamentation. Products containing caprylic acid are formulated as soluble concentrate/liquids and ready-to-use liquids.[EPA - Antimicrobials Division. Docket Number; EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0477 Caprylic (Octanoic) Acid.]
Dietary uses
Caprylic acid is taken as a dietary supplement. In the body, caprylic acid would be found as octanoate, or unprotonated caprylic acid.
Some studies have shown that medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can help in the process of excess calorie burning, and thus weight loss;[
]
Medical uses
Caprylic acid has been studied as part of a ketogenic diet to treat children with intractable epilepsy.
See also
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List of saturated fatty acids
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List of carboxylic acids
External links
