Fractionated coconut oil (MCT, caprylic/capric triglyceride): SAP value and fatty acids
Fractionated coconut oil (MCT, caprylic/capric triglyceride) has a saponification value of 335 mg KOH/g. One gram needs 0.239 g of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for bar soap or 0.335 g of potassium hydroxide (KOH) for liquid soap to turn fully into soap, before any superfat.
Key numbers
- SAP, NaOH
- 0.238816 g per g oil
- SAP, KOH
- 0.335 g per g oil
- Saponification value
- 335 mg KOH/g
- INCI name
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Example: 100 g of Fractionated coconut oil (MCT, caprylic/capric triglyceride) with no superfat needs 23.9 g of 100% NaOH, or 33.5 g of 100% KOH. A 5% superfat uses 5% less.
In soap
Fractionated coconut oil (MCT, caprylic/capric triglyceride) is left out of the soap-quality scores in Soap Ledger: it is mostly not ordinary oil (a wax, resin, blend or an oil with unusual fatty acids), so those scores would not describe it. It still counts fully in the lye calculation.
Mostly caprylic and capric (C8/C10) triglycerides, so it needs far more lye than regular coconut oil. It stays liquid and makes little lather. Published sources for this oil differ by more than 3%, so checking your supplier's certificate of analysis matters more than usual.
Sources
SAP value: 335 mg KOH/g (Midpoint of USP-NF Medium-Chain Triglycerides range), from USP 35–NF 30 monograph: Medium-Chain Triglycerides (third-party mirror of an old edition), United States Pharmacopeia (via drugfuture.com mirror). Printed value: between 310 and 360 mg KOH/g.
Published values we checked:
- between 310 and 360 mg KOH/g — United States Pharmacopeia (via drugfuture.com mirror)
- 335 - 360 mg KOH/g — From Nature With Love (soap/cosmetic supplier)
- 328 mg KOH/g — The Soapery (UK soap supplier)
- NaOH 0.2321 / KOH 0.3269 g alkali per g oil — Certified Lye
NaOH and KOH values are converted from mg KOH/g with the molar masses 39.997 and 56.106 and rounded to 6 decimals, exactly as in the Soap Ledger app. Real oils vary by origin, grade and lot: check your supplier's certificate of analysis. Verify every weight before you make this, and follow lye safety. Not a safety or compliance certification.
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