Products are widely used by the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries

São Paulo, February 2024 – Concepta Ingredients, a business unit of Grupo Sabará specialized in supplying natural solutions for the industry, through market trend analysis, expects a strong increase in sales of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) from Coconut and Palm in 2024. Focusing on the Brazilian and Latin American markets, the company aims to commercialize between 200 and 250 tons of these products this year, which are widely used in various applications across the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics sectors.

MCTs are a type of healthy fat, composed of saturated fatty acids caprylic (C8) and capric (C10:0), and are naturally present in amounts of 6–12% in oils such as coconut, palm kernel, milk fat, babassu, and licuri. Concepta Ingredients’ products stand out for their quality, competitive pricing, various packaging options with immediate availability, and their inclusion in a sustainable supply chain, as explained by the company’s Commercial Director, André Sabará.

“For example, Palm MCT can have RSPO Certification, which assures consumers that sustainability requirements have been met during its production,” he says. “Targeting the supply of 250 tons for Brazil and Latin America is undoubtedly only possible due to the quality and versatility of our products, combined with the best cost-benefit ratio in the market,” he adds.

Benefits

Although classified as saturated fatty acids, MCTs have nutritional, physiological, and physicochemical characteristics that differ from long-chain saturated fatty acids. Due to their faster absorption and preferential oxidation, they serve as an immediate source of energy. Their consumption increases satiety and reduces food intake compared to other commonly consumed triacylglycerols. The use of this substance in food has been recognized as safe since 1994 by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

MCTs are also used in infant formulations and in the treatment of various clinical conditions, such as malabsorption, atherosclerosis, obesity, and parenteral nutrition. They are also a rapid energy source for athletes and sports practitioners, as well as for elderly individuals with metabolic impairments. In addition, research has already indicated their benefits for conditions such as anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease.

MCTs also offer a variety of skin benefits, making them valuable ingredients in cosmetic products. Due to their emollient nature and saturated chain structure, which results in low viscosity, these products provide emollience with good spreadability and skin compatibility, acting as both a carrier and a solvent. “All of this demonstrates how MCTs have important characteristics that make them ideal for a wide range of applications and sectors, including cosmetics,” concludes André Sabará.

Applications

• MCTs act as a technical ingredient to improve food texture. With humectant and release properties, they help distribute air and fats, facilitating the production process and enhancing product quality by extending shelf life. They can be applied in bakery products, dairy, confectionery, and nutraceuticals;
• Found in liquid form, they are widely used for therapeutic purposes and are considered a potential agent against obesity;
• They can be used as oil for salad dressings, yogurts, shakes, smoothies, blended with other vegetable oils, or applied in cookies, jams, and puff pastries;
• They are effective in dissolving colorants and flavors. MCTs can be interesterified with other long-chain vegetable oils, forming structured lipids for plastic fat applications;
• The versatility of MCTs allows their application in a variety of cosmetic products, including emulsions (lotions, creams, butters), anhydrous systems (serums, sticks, oils), and even cleansing systems.

About Concepta Ingredients

Concepta Ingredients is part of Grupo Sabará and specializes in natural and technological solutions developed under the Bio Abundance Program. Through innovation- and research-driven work, the company offers organic and conventional ingredients, supported by the training of families and the indirect conservation of areas across different Brazilian biomes. Its extensive portfolio includes technological inputs from international partners and biodiversity-derived ingredients to meet the most specific demands of the industries it serves.

About Grupo Sabará

Grupo Sabará, with more than 67 years of history, is genuinely Brazilian and recognized for its capacity for innovation and adaptation. For three generations, the Group has overcome challenges and stood out in its markets. Its commitment to the well-being of people around the world goes beyond offering innovative products and services. Its activities take future generations into account, focusing on solutions that ensure sustainability. Through its various business units, Grupo Sabará operates throughout Brazil and has a presence in countries across South America, North America, and Europe. It specializes in the development of high-performance technologies, solutions, and raw materials aimed at water treatment for sanitation and industry, animal nutrition and health, and the food and beverage industries. The development of its products relies on 100% national knowledge and technology, contributing to Brazil becoming a reference in product research for a more sustainable world.