| Abstrakt: |
Introduction. This research attempts to scientifically review the Chemistry and therapeutic benefits of Coconut oil, also commonly known as Copra oil. Materials and methods. Review is based on the modern scientific literature analysis. Results and discussion. VCO, the purest form of coconut oil is essentially colorless and free from rancidity. VCO differs from natural coconut oil in the process of extraction. While the latter is extracted by cold milling or cold compression of copra (another name for dried coconut kernels), the former is extracted from coconut milk obtained from fresh coconuts. Natural or mechanical means are used to obtain the oil. Heat may or may not be used for extraction. The oil is not subject to chemical refining, bleaching or de-odorizing. Further processes such as fermentation, and centrifugal separation, refrigeration, and enzyme action, enables the separation of the oil from water or moisture. In some cases, micro-expelling is used i.e. boiling the fresh coconut oil, followed by evaporating the water / moisture or by direct cold compression of fresh dried coconut meat. The aroma of the fresh coconut can vary from mild to intense depending on the method employed for oil extraction. The total production of edible grade coconut oil in India is about 400000 tons. Rotaries and expellers are used for Coconut oil production in India by crushing the dry coconuts (known as copra) for recovery of oil. VCO mainly consists of medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which are resistant to peroxidation. They differ from animal fat which consists of long chain saturated fatty acids and is the one main risk factor for cardiac complication. Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) differ from long chain fatty acids in that they actually help to protect against heart disease. MCFA have been reported to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. Conclusion. A number of health benefits have been attributed to this oil. These include benefits in skin care, hair care, stress relief, weight loss and cholesterol level maintenance, immunomodulatory effects, cardiovascular uses, and more recently in Alzheimer's disease. Coconut oil has a long shelf life and is used in baking industries, processed foods, infant formulas, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and as hair oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
