Cocos nucifera – A multipurpose beneficial commodity

Cocos nucifera is a beneficial commodity and is generally known as coconut. Among all palms, it has been reported as extensively cultivated palm throughout the world¹. Moreover, its commercial importance can’t be denied because of its nutritional benefits². It is not only the source of food but also possesses several medicinal properties.

Regarding age of the coconut, the solid albumen differs in thickness and usually sweet. The fruit contain fluid which is usually known as coconut water⁴, which is rich in flavor and good for health as well.

It is believed that it has low toxicity along with presence of effective nutritional, medicinal as well as pharmaceutical applications. It is reported that coconut water and the endocarp are potential parts as they possess antioxidant activity³. Accordingly, different parts of coconut fruit have different industrial uses.

Extracts from different parts of this fruits have been utilized to cure diarrhea in Brazil⁵ and Ghana⁶. Furthermore, it has potential to treat stomach aches in New Guinea as well as prevent hair loss and renal ailments in Fiji⁷. Additionally, it is also reported to be used as an aphrodisiac by men in Mozambique⁸.

These facts urged scientists to conduct a research to investigate the proximate, mineral and phytochemical composition of coconut. For this purpose, it was sun-dried and pulverized. Afterwards, researchers examined the proximate, mineral as well as phytochemical composition⁹.

At the end of this experiment, it was noted that coconut is a potential source of the basic macromolecules including carbohydrates, lipids as well as proteins. Moreover, coconut was found to be a good source of energy and could play immunological, physiological, nutritional and pharmacological roles.

Many chemicals were also detected coconut which possesses significant industrial, medicinal, physiological and antibiotic characteristics. However, detailed investigation is needed to isolate the individual chemical components of coconut and analyze their biochemical effects.

Key words:

Cocos nucifera, medicinal properties, pharmacological role, phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, aphrodisiac

References:

1. Onifade, A.K. and Y.A. Jeff-Agboola, 2003. Effect of fungal infection on proximate nutrient composition of coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn) fruit. Food, Agric. Environ., 1: 141-142.
2. Akubugwo, I.E., G.C. Chinyere and A.E. Ugbogu, 2008. Comparative studies on oils from some common plant seeds in Nigeria. Pak. J. Nutr., 7: 570-573.
3. De Andrade, A.M., P.R. de Assis Passos, L.G. de Costa Marques, L.B. Oliveira, G.B. Vidaurre and J. das Dores de Sa Roch, 2004. Pirolise de residuos do coco-da-baia (Cocos nucifera Linn) e analise do carvao vegetal. Rev. Arvore, 28: 707-714.
4. Lima, E.B.C., C.N.S. Sousa, L.N. Meneses, N.C. Ximenes and M.A. Santos, Jr. et al., 2015. Cocos nucifera (L.)(Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Brazil. J. Med. Biol. Res., 48: 953-964.
5. Esquenazi, D., M.D. Wigg, M.M. Miranda, H.M. Rodrigues and J.B. Tostes et al., 2002. Antimicrobial and antiviral activities of polyphenolics from Cocos nucifera Linn.(Palmae) husk fiber extract. Res. Microbiol., 153: 647-652.
6. Yartey, J., E.K. Harisson, L.A. Brakohiapa, D.O. Troph and F.K. Nkrumah, 1993. Carbohydrate and electrolyte content of some home-available fluids used for oral rehydration in Ghana. J. Trop. Pediatr., 39: 234-237.
7. Singh, Y.N., 1986. Traditional medicine in Fiji: Some herbal folk cures used by Fiji Indians. J. Ethnopharmacol., 15: 57-88.
8. Amico, A., 1977. Medicinal plants of Southern Zambesia. Fitoterapia, 48: 101-139.
9. Chinedu Imo, Chukwuma Stephen Ezeonu, Nkeiruka Glory Imo and Chigozie Joshua Anigbo, 2018. Proximate, Mineral and Phytochemical Composition of Cocos nucifera Nut. Asian Journal of Biochemistry, 13: 9-14.