Tricaprin occurs naturally in the seeds of Umbellularia californica, a hardwood tree native to North America.

[6] Tricaprin and other medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are either isolated from natural or genetically engineered sources in the production of MCT oils,[5] or are synthesized on a large scale through the esterification of medium-chain fatty acids with glycerol, specifically capric acid in the case of tricaprin.

These esterification reactions have been investigated with a focus on enzyme catalysis as an alternative to traditional manufacturing processes that take place at high temperature and pressure, which result in poorer quality product at low yield.

Compared to similar reactions used in the synthesis of other MCTs, tricaprin has a slow conversion rate from capric acid in the presence of lipozyme.

[7] Tricaprin is used as an additive to diesel fuel[8] and as part of current and speculative biodiesels.