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Lauric acid

Lauric acid is found in vegetable oils such as cinnamon oil, butter, coconut oil, and palm oil.

Chemical Formula: C₁₂H₂₄O₂

Layman's explanation: Lauric acid was first discovered in lauraceae seeds by Marsson T in 1849. The highest content of lauric acid is found in a mother's breast milk and lauraceae seeds. It is used in foods such as vegetable shortenings as a defoaming agent and industrially as a booster for soaps and detergents. Also it is used in cosmetics, insecticides, and food additives. Additionally, Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which forms monolaurin in the human or animal body. This compound is an antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride that destroys lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, and influenza.

Keywords: vegetable oil, defoaming agent, insecticide, antiviral

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