Lauric Acid Essay

325 Words2 Pages
Jeselle Rivera 11/11/09 Per. 3 Lauric Acid Lauric acid, also known as dodecanoic acid, is a molecule that was first discovered by Marsson T Ann, in 1849. Lauric acid is covalent because its chemical formula is C6 H24 C12, and since carbon and hydrogen are both non-metals, the bond they form is covalent. It was identified in fruit and seed of the bay laurel tree, which grows in the Mediterranean region. The healing properties of this oil were recognized in ancient time. In Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, and Morocco the oil was used as a folk medicine to recover the digestion as a relieve for bladder and skin diseases and a defense from insect stings. It was in the 1950s and 1960s that scientist began to unlock Lauric acid’s healing secrets. The medical researchers on lauric acid and other MCFAs is derived mainly from the tropical oil. As lauric acid has many health benefits, researchers have recently been experimenting with way to raise the amount of it available in our food such as vegetable shortening. They have been working with a variety of plants in an effort to boost their lauric acid content. Recently scientist have genetically engineered a new variety of canola called laurate canola that contains 36 percent lauric acid. Additionally, about 50 percent of lauric acid is a health-promoting fat whose only other rich source in nature is in a mother’s breast milk. In the body this compound is an antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride that destroys lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, and influenza. Lauric Acid is also used in cosmetics and industrially as a booster for soaps and detergents. Because lauric acid has a non-polar hydrocarbon tail and a polar carboxylic acid head, it can interact with polar solvents as well as fats, allowing water to dissolve fats. This accounts for the abilities of shampoos to remove

More about Lauric Acid Essay

Open Document