Nutrient, Phytonutrient Composition, and Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Fresh and Cabinet Dried Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Inflorescence

Abstract

Background: Lately manufactories with medicinal properties play an important part in food and medicinal diligence for their capacities on disease prevention and treatment. Phytonutrients and antioxidant are the naturally occurring compounds found in the plant materials which has positive effects to avoid the oxidative stress-related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Antioxidant protects cells from the damage caused by the free radicals and to slow down or prevent oxidation of the other molecules. Antioxidants are extremely important in many plant base foods. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) inflorescence are rich in Phytonutrients and antioxidants. Nutrient are compound in the food which provide energy that facilitates repair, growth and also helps to carry out different life processes. They can help in reducing the risk of diseases and improves overall health. Hence for the objectives of the present study is to determine the nutrient composition and to estimate the phytonutrients and to analyse the antioxidant activity of fresh and the cabinet dry (45℃for 24h) Cocos nucifera (L.) inflorescence. Methods and Results: Nutrients such as carbohydrate (0.23g,0.19g), protein (24.7g,21.5g), fibre (11%,34.3%), iron(0.115mg,0.135), vitamin-C (0.01mcg,0.0062mcg), calcium (2.8mg,1.6mg) were analyzed by the AOAC method. The Preliminary qualitative phytonutrient analysis was carried out by the standard methodology with extraction of the plant material through the maceration process to identify the secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, quinons, phenol, saponin, tannin, terpenoids and steroids in various solvents of aqueous, ethanol, methanol, acetone, petroleum ether and chloroform. Antioxidant activity were analyzed by the DPPH method. Conclusion: Cabinet dried sample have a better profile of the phytonutrients and antioxidant activity compared to fresh sample. So it is better to utilize cabinet dried sample in product development and supplementation of Cocos nucifera (L.) inflorescence.