What is the Difference Between Fractionated and Unfractionated Coconut Oil

The main difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil is that fractionated coconut oil does not contain long-chain triglycerides, whereas unfractionated coconut oil contains long-chain triglycerides. Furthermore, the long-chain triglycerides are removed from fractionated coconut oil through hydrolysis and steam distillation. Moreover, fractionated coconut oil is a saturated oil with a very long shelf life while unfractionated coconut oil is an unsaturated oil with a comparatively short shelf life.  

Fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil are two of the many types of coconut oils. They show different properties based on the structure of their triglyceride types. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Fractionated Coconut Oil
     – Definition, Components, Importance
2. What is Unfractionated Coconut Oil
     – Definition, Components, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Fractionated and Unfractionated Coconut Oil
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Fractionated and Unfractionated Coconut Oil
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Fractionated Coconut Oil, Long-Chain Triglycerides, Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT) Oil, Unfractionated Coconut Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

What is Fractionated Coconut Oil 

Fractionated coconut oil is a type of refined coconut oil, which is a fraction of coconut oil containing only medium-chain triglycerides. The oil loses almost all the long-chain triglycerides in the virgin coconut oil by hydrolysis and steam distillation. Also, the containment of only the medium-chain triglycerides makes the fractionated coconut oil saturated. Thus, this gives a long shelf life to this type of coconut oil. Besides, it increases the stability of the coconut oil. 

Figure 1: Fractionated Coconut Oil

Furthermore, fractionated coconut oil is a liquid at room temperature. Therefore, it is known as liquid coconut oil. Also, it is runny and is suitable for many of the applications, including skin care or in the food industry. However, fractionated coconut oil does not contain lauric acid. Therefore, fractionated coconut oil does not contain antibacterial properties. It predominantly contains high antioxidant properties and disinfecting effect due to the present of capric and caprylic acid. 

What is Unfractionated Coconut Oil 

Unfractionated coconut oil or virgin coconut oil is the whole coconut oil. Therefore, it contains all short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain triglycerides. That means; it is the natural coconut oil, which has a comparatively shorter shelf life when compared to fractionated coconut oil. Furthermore, as unfractionated coconut oil has the composition of the original coconut; it contains the natural coconut aroma as well.

Figure 2: Unfractionated Coconut Oil

Moreover, the production process of unfractionated coconut oil uses fresh coconut meat rather than dried coconut meat. Thus, due to the lack of exposure to heat, unfractionated coconut oil has a natural coconut flavor. However, as it contains all the triglycerides in coconut, unfractionated coconut oil is solid at room temperature. 

Similarities Between Fractionated and Unfractionated Coconut Oil 

• Fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil are two types of coconut oils classified based on the method of processing. 
• They are colorless in their liquid state and have a snowy white color in the solid state. 
• Also, both have moisturizing and emollient properties.  
• Moreover, both contain vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and E. 
• They have skin and hair care benefits, as well as food and health benefits. 

Difference Between Fractionated and Unfractionated Coconut Oil 

Definition 

Fractionated coconut oil refers to a fraction of coconut oil where the long-chain fatty acids are separated from the oil for different uses while unfractionated coconut oil refers to the whole coconut oil, which contains different fatty acids can be separated for specific uses. Thus, this is the main difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil.

Significance 

Fractionated coconut oil is a type of man-made oil while unfractionated coconut oil is a type of natural coconut oil. 

Made from 

Importantly, fractionated coconut oil is made from dried coconut meat while unfractionated coconut oil is made from the fresh coconut meat. 

Processing 

Besides, an important difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil is that the fractionated coconut oil is a type of refined coconut oil while unfractionated coconut oil is a type of unrefined coconut oil.

Also Known as 

Furthermore, fractionated coconut oil is also known as MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil or liquid coconut oil while unfractionated coconut oil is also known as unrefined coconut oil or extra-virgin coconut oil. 

Components 

Another difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil is their components. Fractionated coconut oil contains caprylic acid (35-75%), capric acid (25-45%), and lauric acid (0-33%) while unfractionated coconut oil contains caproic acid (0.5%), caprylic acid (7%), capric acid (6%), lauric acid (42%), myristic acid (17%), palmitic acid (9%), stearic acid (3%), arachidic acid (0-0.5%), oleic acid (6%), and linoleic acid (2%). 

Degree of Saturation 

Moreover, while fractionated coconut oil is a 100% saturated coconut oil, unfractionated coconut oil is 80-90% saturated and 8-10% unsaturated coconut oil. Hence, this is also an important difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil.

Melting Point 

The melting point of the fractionated coconut oil is -10 to -4 °C while the melting point of the unfractionated coconut oil is 24 °C.  

Physical State

Their physical state is also a major difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil. Fractionated coconut oil is a liquid and runny at room temperature while unfractionated coconut oil is a solid at room temperature.  

Smoke Point 

The smoke point of fractionated coconut oil is 160 to 177 °C while the smoke point of unfractionated coconut oil is 177 °C.  

Odor 

Additionally, fractionated coconut oil is odorless while unfractionated coconut oil has the scent of coconut. 

Shelf Life 

The shelf life of the fractionated coconut oil can be up to 5 years while the shelf life of unfractionated coconut oil can be up to 2 years.  

Healthiness 

Fractionated coconut oil is healthier as it does not contain long-chain triglycerides while unfractionated coconut oil is less healthy.  

Conclusion 

Fractionated coconut oil is a type of refined coconut oil produced through hydrolysis and steam distillation. Significantly, it contains medium-chain triglycerides. Therefore, it has a long shelf life. Also, it is a liquid at room temperature. On the other hand, unfractionated coconut oil is a type of unrefined coconut oil or virgin coconut oil containing all short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain triglycerides. Therefore, it has a comparatively short shelf life. Moreover, it is solid at room temperature. Hence, the main difference between fractionated and unfractionated coconut oil is the type of triglycerides found in them. 

References:

1. “Know Your Coconut Oil – Virgin and Fractionated.” SpaFromScratch.com, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “FractionatedCoconutOil” By Itineranttrader – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “coconut-oil-on-wooden-spoon-2090575” By DanaTentis (Pixabay License) via Pixabay