# Medium-chain triglyceride

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Medium-chain fatty acids

Typical example of a medium-chain triglyceride, containing three medium chain fatty acids ([caprylic acid](/source/Caprylic_acid) in blue and [capric acid](/source/Capric_acid) in red)

A **medium-chain triglyceride** (MCT) is a [triglyceride](/source/Triglyceride) with two or three [fatty acids](/source/Fatty_acid) having an [aliphatic](/source/Aliphatic_compound) tail of 6–12 carbon atoms, i.e. a **medium-chain fatty acid** (MCFA). Rich food sources for commercial extraction of MCTs include [palm kernel oil](/source/Palm_kernel_oil) and [coconut oil](/source/Coconut_oil).

## Sources of MCTs

MCTs are found in palm kernel oil and coconut oil and can be separated by [fractionation](/source/Fractionation).[1][2] They can also be produced by [interesterification](/source/Interesterified_fat).[3] Retail MCT powder is MCT oil embedded in starch and thus contains carbohydrates in addition to fats. It is manufactured by spray drying.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## List of MCFAs

Lipid number Name Salt/ester name Formula Mass (g/mol) Appearance Chemical structure Common Systematic Common Systematic Molecular Structural C6:0 Caproic acid Hexanoic acid Caproate Hexanoate C6H12O2 CH3(CH2)4COOH 116.16 Oily liquid C8:0 Caprylic acid Octanoic acid Caprylate Octanoate C8H16O2 CH3(CH2)6COOH 144.21 Oily liquid C10:0 Capric acid Decanoic acid Caprate Decanoate C10H20O2 CH3(CH2)8COOH 172.26 White crystals C12:0 Lauric acid Dodecanoic acid Laurate Dodecanoate C12H24O2 CH3(CH2)10COOH 200.32 White powder

With regard to MCFAs, apart from the above listed straight chain (unbranched chain) fatty acids, side chain (branched chain) fatty acids also exist.[4]

## Applications

### Calorie restriction

A 2020 [systematic review](/source/Systematic_review) and [meta-analysis](/source/Meta-analysis) by *[Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition](/source/Critical_Reviews_in_Food_Science_and_Nutrition)* supported evidence that MCT decreases subsequent energy intake compared to [long-chain triglycerides](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Long-chain_triglycerides&action=edit&redlink=1) (LCTs). Despite this, it does not appear to affect appetite, and thus the authors stated that further research is required to elucidate the mechanism by which this occurs.[5]

### Dietary relevance

Molecular weight analysis[6] of milk from different species showed that while milk fats from all studied species were *primarily* composed of long-chain fatty acids (16 and 18 carbons long), approximately 10–20% of the fatty acids in milk from [horses](/source/Horse), [cows](/source/Cow), [sheep](/source/Sheep), and [goats](/source/Goat) were medium-chain fatty acids.

Some studies have shown that MCTs can help in the process of excess calorie burning, thus weight loss.[7][8][9] MCTs are also seen as promoting fat oxidation and reduced food intake.[10] MCTs have been recommended by some endurance athletes and the [bodybuilding](/source/Bodybuilding) community.[11] While health benefits from MCTs seem to occur, a link to improved exercise performance is inconclusive.[10] A number of studies back the use of MCT oil as a weight loss supplement, but these claims are not without conflict, as about an equal number found inconclusive results.[12]

### Pharmaceutical relevance

MCTs can be used in solutions, liquid suspensions and lipid-based drug delivery systems for emulsions, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems,[13] creams, ointments, gels and foams as well as suppositories. MCTs are also suitable for use as solvent and liquid oily lubricant in soft gels. Brand names of pharma-grade MCT include Kollisolv MCT 70.[14]

### Medical relevance

MCTs passively diffuse from the [GI tract](/source/GI_tract) to the [hepatic portal system](/source/Hepatic_portal_system) (longer fatty acids are absorbed into the [lymphatic system](/source/Lymphatic_system)) without requirement for modification like [long-chain fatty acids](/source/Long-chain_fatty_acids) or very-long-chain fatty acids. In addition, MCTs do not require [bile salts](/source/Bile_salt) for absorption. Patients who have [malnutrition](/source/Malnutrition), [malabsorption](/source/Malabsorption) or particular [fatty-acid metabolism disorders](/source/Fatty-acid_metabolism_disorder) are treated with MCTs because MCTs do not require energy for absorption, use, or storage.

Medium-chain triglycerides are generally considered a good biologically inert source of energy that the [human body](/source/Human_body) finds reasonably easy to metabolize. They have potentially beneficial attributes in protein metabolism, but may be contraindicated in some situations due to a reported tendency to induce [ketogenesis](/source/Ketogenesis) and [metabolic acidosis](/source/Metabolic_acidosis).[15] However, there is other evidence demonstrating no risk of ketoacidosis or ketonemia with MCTs at levels associated with normal consumption,[8] and that the moderately elevated blood ketones can be an effective treatment for [epilepsy](/source/Epilepsy).[4]

Due to their ability to be absorbed rapidly by the body, medium-chain triglycerides have found use in the treatment of a variety of malabsorption ailments. MCT supplementation with a [low-fat diet](/source/Low-fat_diet) has been described as the cornerstone of treatment for [Waldmann disease](/source/Waldmann_disease).[16] MCTs are an ingredient in some specialised [parenteral nutritional](/source/Parenteral_nutrition) emulsions in some countries.[17][18] Studies have also shown promising results for epilepsy through the use of [ketogenic dieting](/source/Ketogenic_diet).[4][19][20]

Orally ingested medium chain triglycerides would be very rapidly degraded by first-pass metabolism by being taken up in the liver via the [portal vein](/source/Portal_vein), and are quickly metabolized via [coenzyme A](/source/Coenzyme_A) intermediates through [β-oxidation](/source/%CE%92-oxidation) and the [citric acid cycle](/source/Citric_acid_cycle) to produce [carbon dioxide](/source/Carbon_dioxide), [acetate](/source/Acetate) and [ketone bodies](/source/Ketone_bodies).[4] Whether the ketones [β-hydroxybutyrate](/source/%CE%92-hydroxybutyrate) and [acetone](/source/Acetone) have direct antiseizure activity is unclear.[21][22][23][24]

### Technical uses

MCTs are bland compared to other fats and do not generate off-notes (dissonant tastes) as quickly as LCTs. They are also more [polar](/source/Chemical_polarity) than LCTs. Because of these attributes, they are widely used as carrier oils or solvents for flavours and oral medicines and vitamins.[25]

## See also

- [Food portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Food)
- [Chemistry portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Chemistry)

- [List of carboxylic acids](/source/List_of_carboxylic_acids)

- [Ketogenic diet](/source/Ketogenic_diet)

- [List of saturated fatty acids](/source/List_of_saturated_fatty_acids)

## References

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Kollisolv MCT 70"](https://pharma.basf.com/products/kollisolv-mct-70). *pharmaceutical.basf.com*. Retrieved 2021-04-27.

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## Further reading

- Aoyama T, Nosaka N, Kasai M (August 2007). ["Research on the nutritional characteristics of medium-chain fatty acids"](https://doi.org/10.2152%2Fjmi.54.385). *The Journal of Medical Investigation*. **54** (3–4): 385–388. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2152/jmi.54.385](https://doi.org/10.2152%2Fjmi.54.385). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [17878693](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17878693). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [905470](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:905470).

- Babayan VK (June 1987). "Medium chain triglycerides and structured lipids". *Lipids*. **22** (6): 417–420. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/BF02537271](https://doi.org/10.1007%2FBF02537271). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [3112486](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3112486). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [3942399](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:3942399).

- Bach AC, Babayan VK (November 1982). "Medium-chain triglycerides: an update". *The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*. **36** (5): 950–962. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ajcn/36.5.950](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fajcn%2F36.5.950). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [6814231](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6814231).

- Hayasaka K, Numakura C, Toyota K, Kakizaki S, Watanabe H, Haga H, et al. (2014). ["Medium-chain triglyceride supplementation under a low-carbohydrate formula is a promising therapy for adult-onset type II citrullinemia"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5121258). *Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports*. **1**: 42–50. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.ymgmr.2013.12.002](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ymgmr.2013.12.002). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [5121258](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5121258). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [27896073](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27896073).

- Heydinger JA, Nakhasi DK (1996). "Medium Chain Triacylglycerols". *Journal of Food Lipids*. **3** (4): 251–257. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1745-4522.1996.tb00072.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1745-4522.1996.tb00072.x).

- Kaunitz H (1986). "Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in aging and arteriosclerosis". *Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology*. **6** (3–4): 115–121. [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [3519928](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3519928).

- Labarthe F, Gélinas R, Des Rosiers C (April 2008). "Medium-chain fatty acids as metabolic therapy in cardiac disease". *Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy*. **22** (2): 97–106. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s10557-008-6084-0](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10557-008-6084-0). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [18253821](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18253821). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [25297875](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:25297875).

- Nagao K, Yanagita T (March 2010). "Medium-chain fatty acids: functional lipids for the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome". *Pharmacological Research*. **61** (3): 208–212. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.phrs.2009.11.007](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.phrs.2009.11.007). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [19931617](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19931617).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Medium-chain triglyceride](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-chain_triglyceride) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-chain_triglyceride?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.