Physico-chemical characteristics and stability aspects of coconut water and kernel at different stages of maturity.

Coconut water and kernel are the edible portions of the coconut. A study was carried out to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics, phytonutrients and stability of coconut water (CW), kernel (CK) at different stages of maturity and commercial coconut products (CCP). The moisture content of CW, CK and CCP were in the range of 95-97 g 100 g(-1), 50-85 g 100 g(-1) and 0.4-3 g 100 g(-1) respectively. Fat content in CW was low (4-115 mg 100 g(-1)) whereas in kernel it was high (37-56 g 100 g(-1)). The CW was acidic in nature (pH 4.5-5.2). Ash content of CK decreased with maturity (1.0-1.5 %) whereas that of CW remained steady (0.3-0.4 g 100 g(-1)) with maturity. The total sugar content (3.9-4.6 g 100 g(-1)) and acidity (0.3-0.4 g 100 g(-1)) of CW did not change with maturity. The phenolics content increased in water (1.4-4.3 mg 100 g(-1)) and kernel with maturity (18.5-24.8 mg 100 g(-1)). The fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from the CK had increased saturated fatty acids (C12:0) (38-48 g 100 g(-1)) and decreased monounsaturated fatty acid (C18:1) (13-5 g 100 g(-1)) with maturity. The percentage of medium chain fatty acids increased with different stages of maturity (47-78 g 100 g(-1)). The CW and CK contained higher amount of phenolics (1.4-4.3 mg 100 g(-1) and 18.5-24.8 mg 100 g(-1) respectively) and total tocopherols of CK (0.14-0.59 mg 100 g(-1)) when compared to CCP. This study indicated that CW and CK could serve as valuable raw materials for the preparation of functional food supplement.

Hypolipidemic effect of oryzanol concentrate and low temperature extracted crude rice bran oil in experimental male wistar rats.

Blends of refined groundnut oil (GNO) and oryzanol concentrate having 3, 5, and 10% oryzanol in the blend, and a rice bran oil (RBO) which had retained all the nutrients such as oryzanol, tocopherols and tocotrienols and the unsaponifiable matter components of crude oil (GWF RBO) were prepared. Weanling rats were fed with diet containing the oil blends/rice bran oil at 10% level for 60 days and then dissected. The lipid profiles in serum, liver were investigated and the cholesterol levels were marginally reduced (7-16% in serum, 10-14.5% in liver) in rats fed oryzanol containing diet. RBO, GWF RBO containing diets showed a reduction of serum cholesterol by 14%, 15% respectively when compared to those fed with GNO. Serum and liver lipid analysis also showed significant change in TG concentration in rats fed blended oils containing oryzanol compared to the rats given GNO. Histology of liver and kidneys did not show changes. These studies indicated that oryzanol has an effect in lowering serum and liver cholesterol and shows antiatherogenic properties when incorporated into groundnut oil.