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CAS 124-07-2 Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Medium-Chain Fatty Acid High Purity GMP Grade USP Grade EP Grade NF Grade

Caprylic Acid

IUPAC: Octanoic acid View on PubChem
CAS NUMBER
124-07-2
MOL. FORMULA
C8H16O2
MOL. WEIGHT
144.21 g/mol
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Scientific Overview

Caprylic acid's eight-carbon chain gives it favorable membrane-penetrating properties, enabling activity against lipid-coated microorganisms. In biopharma processing, it is used at controlled pH and concentration to selectively precipitate contaminant proteins during immunoglobulin (IgG) purification, making it a key excipient/process aid in plasma-derived therapeutics manufacturing.

Caprylic acid (octanoic acid) is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) found naturally in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and mammalian milk. It is widely used across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly as a precipitation agent in plasma protein purification.

Full Technical Data
Chemical Name Caprylic Acid (Octanoic Acid)
CAS Number 124-07-2
IUPAC Name Octanoic acid
Molecular Formula C8H16O2
Molecular Weight 144.21 g/mol g/mol
Boiling Point 237--240°C
Density 0.91 g/cm³ at 25°C
Flash Point 130°C
Reaction Scheme
Coconut Oil / Palm Kernel Oil (Triglycerides)
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Caprylic Acid
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Commercial Applications

Biopharmaceutical Purification

Precipitation agent for removing contaminant proteins during plasma-derived IgG and antibody purification.

Pharmaceutical Excipient

Used in lipid-based drug delivery formulations and as a component of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) systems.

Antimicrobial Applications

Effective against lipid-coated bacteria (e.g., S. aureus, Streptococcus spp.) due to membrane-penetrating properties.

Nutraceutical & Food-Contact Sanitation

Used as a food-contact surface sanitizer and in nutraceutical MCT oil formulations.

Market Therapeutic Focus
MEDIUM-CHAIN FATTY ACID BIOPHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING PLASMA PROTEIN PURIFICATION NUTRACEUTICALS SPECIALTY CHEMICALS CRO/CDMO
Scientific Literature

Caprylic Acid Precipitation for Antibody Purification

Authors: Brodsky, Y. et al.

Biotechnol. Bioeng.

DOI: 10.1002/bit.24404

Antimicrobial Properties of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids

Authors: Nair, M.K. et al.

J. Food Prot.

DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X-68.7.1421

Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Pharmaceutical Formulation

Authors: Bach, A.C.; Babayan, V.K.

Am. J. Clin. Nutr.

DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/36.5.950
Peer Queries & FAQs
Why is caprylic acid used in plasma protein purification?
At controlled pH and low temperature, it selectively precipitates lipoproteins and other contaminant proteins while leaving immunoglobulins in solution, enabling efficient IgG purification.
What formulations use caprylic acid?
Lipid-based drug delivery systems, MCT oil blends, topical antimicrobial preparations, and process aids in biologics manufacturing.
Is caprylic acid naturally sourced?
Yes, it's primarily obtained from coconut oil and palm kernel oil via hydrolysis and fractional distillation, though synthetic routes also exist.
What is the recommended storage condition?
Store in a tightly sealed container at 2--8°C to minimize oxidation and rancidity; protect from light and heat.

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