Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An Overview of Phytoconstituents, Biotechnological Applications, and Nutritive Aspects of Coconut (Cocos nucifera)

  • Published:
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cocos nucifera is one of the highest nutritional and medicinal value plants with various fractions of proteins which play a major role in several biological applications such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-neoplastic, anti-parasitic, insecticidal, and leishmanicidal activities. This review is focused on several biotechnological, biomedical aspects of various solvent extracts collected from different parts of coconut and the phytochemical constituents which are present in it. The results obtained from this source will facilitate most of the researchers to focus their work toward the process of diagnosing diseases in future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kamaraj, C., Rahuman, A. A., Roopan, S. M., Marimuthu, S., & Kirthi, A. V. (2014). Bioassay guided isolation and characterization of active antiplasmodial compounds from Murraya Koenigii extracts against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei. Parasitology Research, 113, 1657–1672.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Madhumitha, G., Rajakumar, G., Roopan, S. M., Rahuman, A. A., Priya, K. M., Saral, A. M., Khan, F. N., Khanna, V. G., Velayutham, K., Jayaseelan, C., Kamaraj, C., & Elango, G. (2012). Acaricidal, Insecticidal, and larvicidal efficacy of fruit peel aqueous extract of Annona squamosa and its compounds against blood-feeding parasites. Parasitology Research, 111, 2189–2199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Madhumitha, G., & Roopan, S. M. (2013). Devastated crops: multifunctional efficacy for the production of nanoparticles. Journal of Nanomaterials, 951858, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Madhumitha, G., & Saral, A. M. (2009). Free radical scavenging assay of Thevetia nerüfolia leaf extracts. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 21, 2468–2470.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kumar, D. A., Palanichamy, V., & Roopan, S. M. (2014). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Alternanthera dentata leaf extract at room temperature and their antimicrobial activity. Spectrochimica Acta, Part A, 127, 168–171.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bharathi, A., Roopan, S. M., Kajbafvala, A., Padmaja, R. D., Darsana, M. S., & Kumari, G. N. (2014). Catalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles in the synthesis of some 2,3-disubstituted dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones. Chinese Chemical Letters, 25, 324–326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Roopan, S. M., & Khan, F. N. (2010). ZnO nanoparticles in the synthesis of AB ring core of camptothecin. Chemical Papers, 64, 812–817.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Roopan, S. M., & Khan, F. N. (2011). SnO2 nanoparticles mediated nontraditional synthesis of biologically active 9-chloro-6,13-dihydro-7-phenyl-5H-Indolo[3,2-c]acridine derivatives. Medicinal Chemistry Research, 20, 732–737.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Roopan, S. M., Bharathi, A., Kumar, R., Khanna, V. G., & Prabhakarn, A. (2012). Acaricidal, insecticidal and larvicidal efficacy of aqueous extract of Annona squamosa L peel as biomaterial for the reduction of palladium salts into nanoparticles. Colloids and Surfaces, B: Biointerfaces, 92, 209–212.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Roopan, S. M., Bharathi, A., Prabhakarn, A., Rahuman, A. A., Velayutham, K., Rajakumar, Padmaja, R. D., Lekshmi, M., & Madhumitha, G. (2012). Efficient phyto-synthesis and structural characterization of rutile TiO2 nanoparicles using Annona squamosa peel extract. Spectrochimica Acta A, 98, 86–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Roopan, S. M., Rohit, Madhumitha, G., Rahuman, A. A., Kamaraj, C., Bharathi, A., & Surendra, T. V. (2013). Low-cost and ecofriendly phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Cocos nucifera coir extract and its larvicidal activity. Industrial Crops and Products, 43, 631–635.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Ramezani, F., Jebali, A., & Kazemi, B. (2012). A green approach for synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles by Leishmania sp. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 168, 1549–1555.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Momeni, S., & Nabipour, I. (2015). A simple green synthesis of palladium nanoparticles with Sargassum alga and their electrocatalytic activities towards hydrogen peroxide. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 176, 1937–1949.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Mohanraj, S., Kodhaiyolii, S., Rengasamy, M., & Pugalenthi, V. (2014). Green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles effect on fermentative hydrogen production by Clostridium acetobutylicum. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 173, 318–331.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Priyadarshini, R. I., Prasannaraj, G., Geetha, N., & Venkatachalam, P. (2014). Microwave-mediated extracellular synthesis of metallic silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles using macro-algae (Gracilaria edulis) extracts and its anticancer activity against human pc3 cell lines. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 174, 2777–2790.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Borase, H. P., Salunke, B. K., Salunkhe, R. B., Patil, C. D., Hallsworth, J. E., Kim, B. S., & Patil, S. V. (2014). Plant extract: a promising biomatrix for ecofriendly, controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 173, 1–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Patil, S. V., Borase, H. P., Patil, C. D., & Salunke, B. K. (2012). Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using latex from few Euphorbian plants and their antimicrobial potential. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 167, 776–790.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Roopan, S. M., & Elango, G. (2015). Exploitation of Cocos nucifera a non-food toward the biological and nanobiotechnology field. Industrial Crops and Products, 67, 130–136.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Yong, J. W., Ge, L., Ng, Y. F., & Tan, S. N. (2009). the chemical composition and biological properties of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water. Molecules, 14, 5144–5164.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Calzada, F., Yepez-Mulia, L., & Tapia-Contreras, A. (2007). Effect of Mexican medicinal plant used to treat Trichomoniasis on Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113, 248–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Weniger, B., Rouzier, M., Daguilh, R., Henrys, D., Henrys, J. H., & Anton, R. (1986). Traditional medicine in the Central Plateau of Haiti. 2. Ethnopharmacologic inventory. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 17, 13–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Caceres, A., Giron, L. M., Alvarado, S. R., & Torres, M. F. (1987). Screening of antimicrobial activity of plants popularly used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatomucosal diseases. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 20, 223–237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Puertollano, C. L., Banzon, J., & Steinkraus, K. H. (1970). Separation of the oil and protein fractions in coconut (Cocos nucifera) by fermentation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 18, 579–584.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Yuan, Y., Chen, Y., Yan, S., Liang, Y., Zheng, Y., & Dongdong, L. (2014). Molecular cloning and characterization of an acyl carrier protein thio-esterase gene (CocoFatB1) expressed in the endosperm of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and its heterologous expression in Nicotiana tabacum to engineer the accumulation of different fatty acids. Functional Plant Biology, 41, 80–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Roopan, S. M., Surendra, T. V., Elango, G., & Kumar, S. H. S. (2014). Biosynthetic trends and future aspects of bimetallic nanoparticles and its medicinal applications. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 98, 5289–5300.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Elango, G., & Roopan, S. M. (2015). Green synthesis, spectroscopic investigation and photocatalytic activity of lead nanoparticles. Spectrochimica Acta A, 139, 367–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Madhumitha, G., Elango, G., & Roopan, S. M. (2016). Biotechnological aspects of ZnO nanoparticles: overview on synthesis and its applications. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 100, 571–581.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Singh, Y. N. (1986). Traditional medicine in Fiji: some herbal folk cures used by Fiji Indians. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 15, 57–88.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Yartey, J., Harisson, E. K., Brakohiapa, L. A., & Nkrumah, F. K. (1993). Carbohydrate and electrolyte content of some home available fluids used for oral rehydration in Ghana. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 39, 234–237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Hope, B. E., Massey, D. G., & Fournier-Massey, G. (1993). Hawaiian material medica for asthma. Hawaii Medical Journal, 52, 160–166.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mandal, M. D., & Mandal, S. (2011). Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention. Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine, 4, 241–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Oyi, A. R., Onaolapo, J. A., & Obi, R. C. (2010). Formulation and antimicrobial studies of coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn) oil. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2, 133–137.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Silva, R. R., Silva, D. O., Fontes, H. R., Alviano, C. S., Fernandes, P. D., & Alviano, D. S. (2013). Anti-inflammatory: antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Cocos nucifera var. typica. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Esquenazi, D., Wigg, M. D., Miranda, M. M., Rodrigues, H. M., Tostes, J. B., Rozental, S., Silva, A. J., & Alviano, C. S. (2014). Antimicrobial and antiviral activities of polyphenolics from Cocos nucifera Linn: (Palmae) husk fiber extract. Research in Microbiology, 153, 647–652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Arora, R., Chawla, R., Marwah, R., Arora, P., Sharma, R. K., Kaushik, V., Goel, R., Kaur, A., Silambarasan, M., Tripathi, R. P., & Bharadwaj, J. R. (2011). Potential of complementary and alternative medicine in preventive management of novel H1N1 flu (Swine flu) pandemic: thwarting potential disasters in the bud. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 586506, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Jose, M., Sharma, B. B., & Shantaram, M. (2011). Ethno medicinal herbs used in oral health and hygiene in coastal Dakshina Kannada. Journal of Oral Health & Community Dentistry, 5, 107–111.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Lima, E. B. C., Sousa, C. N. S., Meneses, L. N., Ximenes, N. C., Santos-Junior, M. A., Vasconcelos, G. S., Lima, N. B. C., Macedo, D., & Vasconcelos, S. M. M. (2015). Cocos nucifera Linn (Arecaceae): a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 00, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Awua, A. K., Doe, E. D., & Agyare, R. (2012). Potential bacterial health risk posed to consumers of fresh coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water. Food and Nutrition Science, 3, 1136–1143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Viju, N., Satheesh, S., & Vincent, S. G. P. (2013). Antibiofilm activity of coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn.) husk fibre extract. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 20, 85–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Intahphuak, S., Khonsung, P., & Panthon, A. (2010). Anti-inflammatory analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharmaceutical Biology, 48, 151–157.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Naskar, S., Mazumder, U. K., Pramanik, G., Saha, P., Haldar, P. K., & Gupta, M. (2013). Evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of hydromethanol extract of Cocos nucifera. Journal of Inflammopharmacology, 21, 31–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Ajeigbe, K. O., Ndaman, Z. A., Amegor, O. F., Onifade, A. A., Asuk, A. A., Ibironke, G. F., & Olaleye, S. B. (2011). Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential ofcoconut water (Cocos nucifera L.) in rats and mice. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5, 1116–1122.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Srivastava, P., & Durgaprasad, S. (2008). Burn wound healing property of Cocos nucifera: an appraisal. The Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 40, 144–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Radenahmad, N., Saleh, F., Sayoh, I., Sawangjaroen, K., Subhadhirasakul, P., Boonyoung, P., Rundorn, W., & Mitranun, W. (2012). Young coconut juice can accelerate the healing process of cutaneous wounds. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Salil, G., Nevin, K. G., & Rajamohan, T. (2001). Argenine rich coconut kernel protein modulates in alloxan treated rats. Chemico- Biological Interactions, 89, 107–111.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Preetha, P. P., Girija Devi, V., & Rajamohan, T. (2013). Antihyperlipidemic effects of mature coconut water and its role in regulating lipid metabolism in alloxan-induced experimental diabetes. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 23, 1331–1337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Renjith, R. S., Chikku, A. M., & Rajamohan, T. (2013). Cytoprotective, antihyperglycemic and phytochemical properties of Cocos nucifera (L.) inflorescence. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 6, 804–810.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Costa, C. T., Bevilaqua, C. M., Morais, S. M., Camurca-Vasconcelo, A. L., Maciel, M. V., Braga, R. R., & Oliveira, M. M. (2010). Anthelmintic activity of Cocos nucifera L. on intestinal nematodes of mice. Research in Veterinary Science, 88, 101–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Koschek, P. R., Alviano, D. S., Alviano, C. S., & Gattass, C. R. (2007). The husk fiber of Cocos nucifera L. (Palmae) is a source of antineoplastic activity. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 40, 1339–1343.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Filho, R. R. M., Rodrigues, I. A., Alviano, D. S., Santos, A. L., Soares, R. M., Alviano, C. S., Lopes, A. H., & Rosa, M. S. (2004). Leishmanicidal activity of poly-phenolic-rich extract from husk fiber of Cocos nucifera Linn. (Palmae). Research in Microbiology, 155, 136–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Dowd, P. F., Johnson, E. T., Vermillion, K. E., Berhow, M. A., & Palmquist, D. E. (2011). Coconut leaf bioactivity toward generalist maize insect pests. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 141, 208–215.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Adebayo, J. O., Balogun, E. A., Malomo, S. O., Soladoye, A. O., Olatunji, L. A., Kolawole, O. M., Oguntoye, O. S., Babatunde, A. S., Akinola, O. B., Aguiar, A. C. C., Andrade, I. M., Souza, N. B., & Krettli, A. U. (2013). Antimalarial activity of Cocos nucifera husk fibre: further studies. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 742496, 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Masumbuko, L. I., Sinje, S., & Kullaya, A. (2014). Genetic diversity and structure of east African tall coconuts in Tanzania using RAPD markers. Open Journal of Genetics, 4, 175–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Almeida, T. M., Bispo, M. D., Cardoso, A. R. T., Migliorini, M. V., Schena, T., de Campos, M. C. V., Machado, M. E., López, J. A., Krause, L. C., & Caramão, E. B. (2013). Preliminary studies of bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of coconut fibers. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61, 6812–6821.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Liya, G., Yong, J. W. H., Tan, S. N., & Ong, E. S. (2006). Determination of cytokinins in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water using capillary zone electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry. Electrophoresis, 27, 2171–2181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Liya, G., Yong, J. W. H., Tan, S. N., Hua, L., & Ong, E. S. (2008). Analyses of gibberellins in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water by partial filling-micellar electrokinetic chromatography-mass spectrometry with reversal of electroosmotic flow. Electrophoresis, 29, 2126–2134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Liya, G., Yonga, J. W. H., Tana, S. N., Yang, X. H., & Ong, E. S. (2004). Analysis of some cytokinins in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography after solid-phase extraction. Journal of Chromatography A, 1048, 119–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Freitas, J. C. C., Nunes-Pinheiro, D. C. S., Pessoa, A. W. P., Silva, L. C. R., Girão, V. C. C., & Lopes-Neto, B. E. (2011). Effect of ethyl acetate extract from husk fiber water of Cocos nucifera in Leishmania braziliensis infected hamsters. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 21, 1006–1011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Roopan, S. M., Kumar, S. H. S., Madhumitha, G., & Suthindhiran, K. (2015). BI ogenic-production of SnO2 nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 175, 1567–1575.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Pal, D., Sarkar, A., Gain, S., Jana, S., & Mandal, S. (2011). CNS depressant activities of roots of Coccos nucifera in mice. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 68, 249–254.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Arlee, R., Suanphairoch, S., & Pakdeechanuan, P. (2013). Differences in chemical components and antioxidant-related substances in virgin coconut oil from coconut hybrids and their parentes. International Food Research Journal, 20, 2103–2109.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Salil, G., & Rajamohan, T. (2001). Hypolipidemic and antiperoxidative effect of coconut protein in hypercholesterolemic rats. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 39, 1028–1034.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Erosa, F. E., Gamboa-León, M. R., Lecher, J. G., Arroyo-Serralta, G. A., Zizumbo-Villareal, D., & Oropeza-Salín, C. (2002). Major components from the epicuticular wax of Cocos nucifera. Revista de la Sociedad Quimica de Mexico, 46, 247–250.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Tangwatcharin, P., & Khopaibool, P. (2012). Activity of virgin coconut oil, lauric acid or monolaurin in combination with lactic acid against Staphylococcus aureus. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 43, 969–985.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors thank the reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions as well as the management of VIT University for providing all research facilities to carry out the literature survey work which was helpful for clubbing this review article. The Authors are also thankful to DBT (No. BT/PR6891/GBT/27/491/2012) for providing financial support to conduct further research process.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry of Heterocycles & Natural Product Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014, India

    Selvaraj Mohana Roopan

Authors
  1. Selvaraj Mohana Roopan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Selvaraj Mohana Roopan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical Clearance

The current manuscript discuss on the phytoconstituents, biotechnological aspect and nutritive focus on coconut. The authors have not used any animals for their studies.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Roopan, S.M. An Overview of Phytoconstituents, Biotechnological Applications, and Nutritive Aspects of Coconut (Cocos nucifera). Appl Biochem Biotechnol 179, 1309–1324 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-016-2067-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-016-2067-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation