octanoate

Octanoate refers to the carboxylate anion of octanoic acid (caprylic acid), a saturated fatty acid with eight carbon atoms. It also appears in esters and salts derived from octanoic acid, collectively described as octanoates. The term is used for the anion in chemical contexts and for the salts of metals or organic cations, as well as for common octanoic acid derivatives such as esters.

Chemically, octanoate is a short to medium-chain carboxylate. The corresponding esters, such as ethyl octanoate, are used in flavors and fragrances. In nutrition and biochemistry, octanoic acid is classified as a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA). MCFAs are absorbed differently from long-chain fatty acids, entering the portal circulation and rapidly delivered to the liver where they can be oxidized for energy. This property makes octanoate and other C8 fatty acids components of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are used in dietary supplements and clinical nutrition.

Natural sources of octanoate include fats and oils containing octanoic acid, and it can be present as part of complex lipids in certain foods. In addition to dietary roles, octanoate and its esters are used in various industrial applications, including flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic ingredients. In medical and laboratory settings, octanoate salts may be used as reagents or intermediates and as substrates in metabolic studies.

Safety and regulatory status depend on the specific form and use. As with other fatty acids and their derivatives, octanoate-containing ingredients are evaluated for exposure limits and toxicity on a case-by-case basis. Concerns, when any, are typically related to high intake or exposure rather than normal dietary levels.