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Caprylic acid , also known under the systematic name octanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid, medium-chain fatty acid , and carboxylic acid. It has the structural formula CH36CO2H, and is a colorless oily liquid that is minimally soluble in water with a slightly unpleasant rancid-like smell and taste. Salts and esters of octanoic acid are known as octanoates or caprylates. It is a common industrial chemical, which is produced by oxidation of the C8 aldehyde. Its compounds are found naturally in the milk of various mammals and as a minor constituent of coconut oil and palm kernel oil.
Two other acids are named after goats via the Latin word capra: caproic acid and capric acid. Together, these three fatty acids comprise 15% of the fatty acids in goat milk fat.