Coconut - The King Of The Tropics

What Is Coconut - Cocos Nucifera ?

Cocos Nucifera Linn or also called as the coconut palm tree is the most beneficial trees in the world. All part of the tree is helpful to human life for some purpose or the other. The copra harvested, dehusked, and dried copra kernel of the coconut has the most abundant source of vegetable oil containing up to 70 per cent oil.

Climatic & Soil Conditions

The coconut palm is perceived to grow under varying climatic and soil conditions. It is a tropical plant growing mostly between 20oN 20oS latitudes and with rainfall of about 2000 mm per year, extremely distributed throughout, is ideal for proper growth & maximum production. They grow in diverse soil types such as loamy, coastal sandy, laterite, clayey & alluvial reclaimed soils of the low marshy lands. The ideal soil circumstances for better growth and fulfilment of the palm are proper drainage, operative water-holding capacity, the proximity of water table within 3m and nonexistence of rock or any hard substratum within 2m of the surface.


Coconut Kernel

Coconut kernel is nutritious and plentiful in fibre, vitamins and minerals considered as a natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral food. One can get the benefit of coconut fibre by eating dried or fresh coconut and adding coconut to varied food recipes. An abundance of studies has illustrated that dietary fibres protect against heart attacks and strokes. A diet that is abundant in coconut kernel limit digestive disorders, and it improves bowel activity. The amino acids that are present in the copra restore thyroid functions and enhance the rate of metabolism. Coconut flour is the residual obtained after extraction of milk from the kernel, It is dried, defatted and finely grounded into a powder form that resembles wheat flour. Flour from coconut is low in indigestible carbohydrate and high in fibre (61%).



Coconut Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil obtained from pure coconut milk collected from the mature kernel twelve months old from pollination of coconut by natural or mechanical means. Without the utilisation of heat, which does not lead to modification of the nature of the oil. Similar to the Virgin Olive oil, the Virgin Coconut oil used in its natural state without the need for further processing. Hence, the oil should not undergo chemical refining, bleaching or deodorising.

Virgin coconut oil is transparent, free of sediment & has natural clean coconut scent that is free from rancid odour or taste. It consists of medium-chain fatty acids; these acids found in virgin coconut oil are different from animal fats, which primarily include long-chain saturated fatty acids. These acid are most important medium-chain fatty acid found in pure coconut oil and referred to as lauric acid. It constitutes 48 % of VCO; the lauric acid holds robust antimicrobial traits capable of suppressing disease-causing fungi, bacteria, parasites and viruses. Medium-chain fatty acids found in mother’s milk are the principal ingredient that defends newborn infants from infections.


Coconut for Skin & Hair Care

Skin-friendly oil gives a natural softness and suppleness to the skin on regular massaging. Protects skin from heat, excellent emollient when applied for skin and hair, spreads instantly on the skin when used as a massage oil. It can penetrate the skin with its tangible water-absorbing property. It protects the surface from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, bacteria, fungi, prevents dandruff and hair loss. Rich in Vitamin C & E, the virgin coconut oil slows down the skins ageing process and ensures the best of hydration of the skin.

Coconut oil used as a base is excellent emollient on skin, skull and hair. It provides gloss to hair, nourishes the hair roots, provides coolness to the body. These properties of the oil make it an ideal massage oil for babies and also for skin and hair applications. Coconut oil defends skin from contagions caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi, prevents hair loss & dandruff.


Coconut Water

Coconut water relates to the liquid endosperm of a tender coconut at approximately nine months of the time of pollination, and this is the period before the solid endosperm or white meat forms. Considered as a pure and nutritious beverage in the natural state, the coconut husk is an excellent package for the water which contains minerals, amino acids, vitamins & sugars. Tender coconut water is a consistent source of electrolytes, complex carbohydrates and other nutrients.

The natural carbohydrate content is in between 4 to 5% of the liquid solution. Coconut water especially suitable for the burgeoning sports beverage market. Sports Science Institute of USA has conducted studies on, sports drinks holding under 5% carbohydrates are likely to render benefits. While those surpassing 10% carbohydrate content, like most soft drinks, are associated with abdominal cramps, diarrhoea & nausea.


Amino Acid Composition of Coconut Water

  • Alanine
  • Arginine
  • Aspartic acid
  • Cystine
  • Glutamic acid
  • Histidine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Proline
  • Phenylalanine
  • Serine
  • Tyrosine
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Vitamins Of B Group In Coconut Water

  • Nicotinic acid
  • Pantothenic acid
  • Biotin
  • Riboflavin
  • Folic acid
  • Thiamine
  • Pyridoxine

Coconut Shell Powder

Coconut shells that are dehusked and are unfettered from contamination of coir pith, etc., are split into tiny pieces and fed into a pulveriser. Once pulverised, the particles are then into a cyclone, and the parallel product collected into bag filters. The shell powder is then packed into a vibrating sieving machine and pressed according to mesh size specifications for different end-use cases. The main requirements for the consistently excellent quality of coconut shell powder are a proper selection of shell of the appropriate stage of maturity and efficient machinery.

Coconut Shell - Activated Charcoal


Activated charcoal is achieved by burning the shell of fully matured coconuts. With a reduced amount of air so that it does not burn away to ash but get carbonized. The manufacture of activated charcoal from the coconut shell has become a significant economic and commercial activity. Coconut shell charcoal, which was relatively a minor product in the past, has now developed into a general commercial commodity. Due to its intrinsic value as a raw material for the manufacture of activated carbon. Coconut shell charcoal is of two types: viz Coconut shell charcoal and granulated shell charcoal.

The activation process conducted in two stages; the shells converted into shell charcoal by carbonization method. Customarily carried out in mud-pits, brick kilns and portable metallic kilns. The coconut shell charcoal activated by reaction with steam at a temperature of 900°C to 1100°C in a controlled environment using a rotary kiln. This reaction between charcoal & steam takes place at the inner surface area, building more sites for adsorption. The temperature factor, in the method of activation, is significant anything below 900°C the reaction becomes too slow and is uneconomical. Heating it above 1100°C the response becomes diffusion-controlled and consequently takes place on the outer surface of the charcoal resulting in loss of charcoal.