Protective Effects of Cocos Nucifera Oil in Paraphenylene Diamine Toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a highly toxic compound used for hair-dyeing worldwide. PPD self-poisoning had significantly increased in recent times with increased mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the toxic effects of PPD and the protective potential of its prospective antidote Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera). METHODS: PPD was identified and validated by FT-IR and UV mass spectrometer. PPD toxicity was induced in-vivo by single intraperitoneal injection (40 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg). Single-injection of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) was administered in the presence of PPD at doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg. Blood was analyzed for renal, hepatic and cardiac biomarkers. Relevant organs were collected, weighed and preserved for histopathological examination. Statistical analysis was carried out to note mortality rate, survival duration and serum biochemical parameter. Molecular docking studies were performed to assess attachment of PPD with histaminergic receptors. RESULTS: PPD injection achieved 100% mortality rate with short survival span, and disturbed hepatic, renal, and cardiac serum markers with marked histopathological changes. VCO notably decreased mortality rate, raised treatment time window with marked adjustment in hepatic, renal, and cardiac markers. Docking studies proved that PPD attaches robustly with histaminergic receptors. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that VCO possesses lifesaving protection against PPD toxicity and can be a suitable antidote.

Comparative study on extraction of virgin coconut oil with the aid of partially purified protease from seabass pyloric caeca and commercial trypsin.

Coconut milk was hydrolyzed by partially purified protease from seabass pyloric caeca (PPSP) and commercial trypsin (CT) at various levels (5 and 10 unit/g protein) at 60°C for different hydrolysis times (0-150 min). At the same protease level and hydrolysis time, higher degrees of hydrolysis and larger droplet size were found in coconut milk hydrolyzed by PPSP, compared to CT. The highest virgin coconut oil (VCO) yield (77.34%) was observed after the sample was hydrolyzed for 150 min by PPSP (10 units/g protein). Protein patterns indicated that coconut milk proteins were more prone to hydrolysis by PPSP, compared to CT. A marked difference was not found in physicochemical properties of commercial VCO and VCO separated from coconut milk using PPSP. Therefore, VCO could be extracted using PPSP under optimal condition, wherein the extraction could be accomplished within a short time with high yield. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In virgin coconut oil (VCO) manufacture, the yield of VCO and cost of the commercial enzyme are of main concern. Therefore, cheap source of proteases, particularly proteases from seabass pyloric caeca, can be a promising alternative for the manufacture of VCO. Therefore, the cost associated with commercial enzymes could be reduced and the proteases from seabass processing byproducts were better exploited.