Reference Documents and Specifications
WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius standard for virgin coconut oil, as contained in CODEX-STAN 210(Amended 2003, 2005); and the definition of virgin coconut oil issued by the Asia Pacific Coconut Community (www.apccsec.org).
Scope
This standard applies to Direct Micro-Expelled (DME®) virgin coconut oil supplied by Kokonut Pacific that is suitable for use for food and personal care products, but does not apply to coconut oil that must be subject to further processing in order to render it suitable for human consumption.
Description
DME virgin coconut oil is derived from the kernel of mature coconut (cocos nucifera).Table 1. Typical GLC ranges of Fatty Acid Composition
| Common name | Composition |
% |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caproic acid | C 6:0 | 0.4 - 0.6 |
 |
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) 65 % |
|
Total Saturated Fat 94% |
| Caprylic acid | C 8:0 | 4.6 - 10 | ||||
| Capric acid | C 10:0 | 5.0 - 8.0 | ||||
| Lauric acid | C 12:0 | 45.1 - 53.2 | ||||
| Myristic acid | C 14:0 | 16.8 - 21.0 | ||||
| Palmitic acid | C 16:0 | 7.5 - 10 | ||||
| Stearic acid | C 18:0 | 2.0 - 4.0 | ||||
| Oleic acid | C 18:1 | 5.0 - 10.0 | ||||
| Linoleic acid | C 18:2 | 1.0 - 2.5 | ||||
| Other | C 18:3 C 24:1 | < 0.5 | ||||
Table 2. Chemical and Physical Characteristics
| Relative density | (40°C/water at 20°C) 0.908 – 0.921 |
| Refractive index | (nD40°C) 1.448 – 1.450 |
| Saponification value | (mg KOH/g oil) 248 – 265 |
| Iodine value | (Wijs) 6.3 – 10.6 |
| Unsaponifiable matter | Not more than 15 g/kg |
1. Quality characteristics
| Characteristics | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Clarity | A fully transparent oil at or above 30°C |
| Colour (Platinum-cobalt scale) | 50 maximum |
| Odour and Taste | Mild fresh coconut (free from smoky, soapy, rancid or foreign notes) |
| Free fatty acids, as lauric acid | 0.3% maximum on packing for export |
| Peroxide value | Not more than 15 millequivalents of active oxygen per kg. |
| Filtration test (250 ml sample) | Leaves no residue or staining on a Whatman No. 4 (or equivalent) filter paper |
| Moisture and volatile matter | 0.1% maximum |
2. Composition Characteristics |
|
| Reichert value | 6 – 8.5 |
| Polenske value | 13 –18 |
Test Methods
Methods to be drawn from current editions of an internationally recognised standard methods books such as from IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists), AOAC (Association of Analytical Chemists), FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius, or AOCS (American Oil Chemists' Society).
Labelling
DMEŽ is a Registered Trade Mark of Kokonut Pacific Pty Ltd. It refers to the process of oil extraction which the Company developed and called Direct Micro Expelling.
DME virgin coconut oil is labelled as:
-
"virgin", as it is made directly from fresh mature coconuts, quickly dried then pressed, settled and filtered. Nothing else. It has not been Refined, Bleached or Deodorised. No chemicals have been added or used in the extraction process.
-
“Certified Organic” because it is grown without artificial fertilisers, pesticides, or other chemicals and additives and has been certified as such by an IFOAM and USDA accredited agency: the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA).
-
“cold pressed” due to the relatively low temperatures used to dry the grated coconut and nil heating during pressing.
-
"extra virgin", because it is the first and only pressing made within one hour of opening a coconut; its free acid level is extremely low (<0.3 grams per 100); it is a raw oil that is judged to have a superior flavour and contains no additives.
© Kokonut Pacific Pty Ltd