Biological Analysis of Cocos Nucifera L Endocarp Extracts

Abstract

Cocos nucifera. L commonly called as Coconut tree is used for its several beneficial health effects as antitumor, anthelminthic, antidotal, antiseptic, bactericidal activity, etc. Coconut shell or its endocarp is an agricultural waste and is available in very large quantities throughout the tropical countries of the world. Endocarp of C.nucifera. L was supposed to be the hardest part of the fruit but ionically richest source of phenolic and flavonoid compound which are responsible for diverse biological activities beneficial to human health and disease prevention. Therefore the present study was conducted to determine the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of four different extracts of C.nucifera. L endocarp prepared by cold percolation (CNL-01), hot percolation (CNL-02), aqueous extraction (CNL-03) and by dry distillation (CNL-04) methods. All the investigated phytochemicals except amino acids, proteins and alkaloids were present in different extracts. Antioxidant activity of extracts using reducing power methods revealed CNL-02 as the better extract.