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. 2020 Apr 23;11:44. doi: 10.1186/s40104-020-00446-1

Table 1.

Overview of medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides

Compound name Chemical structure Molecular weight, Da Melting point, °C Visual appearance Smell
Fatty Acids Caproic acid (C6H12O2) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figa_HTML.gif 116.2 − 3.4 Oily colorless liquid Strong
Caprylic acid (C8H16O2) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figb_HTML.gif 144.2 16.5 Oily colorless liquid Moderate
Capric acid (C10H20O2) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figc_HTML.gif 172.3 31.6 White crystalline powder Mild
Lauric acid (C12H24O2) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figd_HTML.gif 200.3 43.8 White powder Minor
Monoglycerides Glycerol monocaproate / Monocaproin (C9H18O4) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Fige_HTML.gif 190.2 19.4 Colorless liquid Minor
Glycerol monocaprylate / Monocaprylin (C11H22O4) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figf_HTML.gif 218.3 35.6 White powder Minor
Glycerol monocaprate / Monocaprin (C13H26O4) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figg_HTML.gif 246.3 51.4 White powder Minor
Glycerol monolaurate / Monolaurin (C15H30O4) graphic file with name 40104_2020_446_Figh_HTML.gif 274.4 62.5 White granular powder Minor

The smell level is ranked in the order of strong, moderate, mild, and minor. The molecular formula of each compound is provided in parentheses and the chemical structures of MCFAs are drawn in the deprotonated state.