What is the Difference Between Lauric and Non Lauric Fats

The main difference between lauric and non lauric fats is that lauric fats contain relatively high levels of lauric acid whereas non lauric fats contain low levels of lauric acid. 

Lauric and non-lauric fats are two types of vegetable fats used for confectionery coating and fillings. Furthermore, lauric fats come from coconut and palm kernel oils while non lauric fats come from cocoa and palm. Moreover, lauric acid fats are expensive while non lauric acid fats are comparatively less expensive.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Lauric Fats
     – Definition, Composition, Importance
2. What are Non Lauric Fats
     – Definition, Composition, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Lauric and Non Lauric Fats
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Lauric and Non Lauic Fats
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cost, Lauric Fats, Non-Lauric Fats, Soapy Taste, Vegetable Fats

What are Lauric Fats

Leuric fats are a type of vegetable fats derived from coconut oil and palm kernel oil. These fats can come as oils or hydrogenated or fractionated forms of palm kernel oil. Moreover, the main characteristic feature of lauric fats is the presence of a higher amount of lauric acid. Here, lauric acid is a saturated fatty acid with 12-carbon atoms in the chain. Therefore, it is a type of medium-chain fatty acids. In addition, laurates refer to the salts and esters of lauric acid. Generally, lauric acid is a powdery solid with a bright white color. Furthermore, it may have a faint odor of baby oil or soap.

Figure 1: Coconut Oil

Moreover, lauric fats are used as confectionary fats in the form of partially hardened fats or interesterified form with other fats. More importantly, fast crystallization, good oral melt, good taste capability, and less sensitivity to oxidation are the advantageous features of lauric fats. However, a major drawback of lauric fats is the strong soapy taste produced by free fatty acids derived from these fats. Lipase activity on fat is responsible for the formation of free fatty acids.

What are Non Lauric Fats

Non lauric fats are another type of vegetable fats used as an alternative to lauric fats. They are derived from cocoa butter and its equivalents such as palm, shea or soy. The main importance of non lauric fats is that they do not produce the strong characteristic soap flavor of lauric fats. In addition, non lauric fats are less expensive when compared to lauric fats. However, the lauric acid content of non lauric fats is very low. Lauric acid is responsible for lowering bad cholesterol levels in the body. Thus, the low content of lauric acid reduces the potential health benefits of non lauric fats.

Figure 2: Cocoa Butter

Moreover, there are two types of non lauric fats. They are tempered fats and non-tempered fats. Some examples of tempered non lauric fats are cocoa butter and fractionated palm and shea. On the other hand, some examples of non-tempered non lauric fats are hydrogenated and fractionated palm and soy and low-trans or no-trans alternatives.

Similarities Between Lauric and Non Lauric Fats

• Lauric and non-lauric fats are two types of vegetable fats we use as confectionary fats.
• People also use them as confectionery filling and coating.
• Moreover, they contain variable amounts of lauric acid.

Difference Between Lauric and Non Lauic Fats

Definition

Lauric fats refer to the fats derived from sources such as coconut and palm kernel, which contain a higher level of lauric acid while non-lauric fats refer to the fats from sources like cocoa or palm, which contain a lower level of lauric acid. Thus, this is the main difference between lauric and non lauric fats.

Sources

Moreover, lauric fats come from coconut oil and palm kernel oil while non-lauric fats come from cocoa butter and its equivalents including palm, shea, soy, etc. Thus, the sources of each make a difference between lauric and non lauric fats.

Amount of Lauric Acid Present

Also, another difference between lauric and non lauric fats is that lauric fats contain a higher amount of lauric acid while non-lauric fats contain a lower amount of lauric acid.

Importance

Furthermore, lauric fats give a soapy taste by the formation of free fatty acids while non lauric fats are less expensive in comparision to lauric fats. Hence, this is also a difference between lauric and non lauric fats.

Conclusion

Lauric fats are a type of vegetable fats derived from coconut oils and palm kernel oils. It contains a higher amount of lauric acid, which reduces the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. However, the formed free fatty acids from lauric fats give a soapy taste. Whereas, non-lauric fats are derived from cocoa butter and its alternatives, which contain a lower level of lauric acid. However, non-lauric fats do not give a soapy taste and they are less expensive than lauric fats as well. Therefore, the main difference between lauric and non lauric fats is the amount of lauric acid present and their properties.

References:

1. Kuntz, Lynn A. “Tropical Oils: Status of the Storm.” Natural Products INSIDER, 28 Aug. 2018, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Coconut and oil” By Phu Thinh Co – Dầu dừa (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Cocoa butter p1410148” By David Monniaux – Self-photographed (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia