Unsaponifiable matter of crude and processed coconut oil

Abstract Coconut oil samples were taken prior to and during processing. Hydrocarbons, alcohols and sterols were separated from unsaponifiable matter (UNS) by column chromatography (c.c.) on Florisil and characterised by gas‐liquid chromatography (g.l.c.) Hydrocarbons ranged from the C‐17 to C‐32 straight chain homologs and squalene. Small amounts of iso‐ and/or anteiso and branched chain hydrocarbons were found. Straight chain, iso‐ and/or anteiso‐aliphatic alcohols, and four triterpenoid alcohols were identified. The UNS contained cycloartenol, α‐ and β‐amyrin and 24‐methylenecyloartenol. Campesterol, stigmasterol and β‐sitosterol were found, with the latter comprising as much as 69.0% of the total sterol fraction. Some minor changes were noted in relative distribution of certain components at various stages in oil processing.