Coconut water (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the world’s most versatile natural products because of its various applications. Multiple beneficial biochemicals such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, sugars and enzymes have been identified in coconut water. Phytohormones, particularly cytokinins, one of the most interesting components reported present in coconut water. Cytokinins had shown some significant anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic effects that contributed to the various health benefits. In this study, two local coconut varieties: Malayan Green Dwarf (MGD) and Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) were chosen to quantify the cytokinin compounds present in different maturation stage of coconut water using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The maturation stage of coconut water was categorized into three groups: a) immature, 120-200 days, b) mature, 220-300 days and c) overly-mature, 320-380 days. Among two local coconut varieties, MGD was shown to have the highest content of cytokinins, which was 3.2841 μM. Different maturation levels of coconut water was found to have an effect on the cytokinins concentration in both MYD and MGD varieties, which was reported to be the highest at the immature and mature stage, respectively. Briefly, the trans-zeatin riboside was noted to be the major cytokinin compounds present in coconut water for both MGD and MYD varieties.

Quantification of Cytokinins in Coconut Water from Different Maturation Stages of Malaysia’s Coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.) Varieties

Nutritional assessment study and role of green silver nanoparticles in shelf-life of coconut endosperm to develop as functional food.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique can increase the Raman signals of the analytes owing to the electric field enhancements on the nanostructures. The strong light intensity, called photonic nanojet, can be formed at the backlight of the dielectric microstructures. Recently, some researchers have applied the photonic nanojets in SERS. In this paper, a layer of synthesized low-cost polystyrene microspheres with the average of small particle size of 4.26 μm and high refractive index 1.5875 was prepared by dispersion polymerization method and coating on metal nanopillars SERS substrates using air-water interfacial floating method, and it was applied to improve the Raman signal sensitivity of kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) which is one kind of plant growth regulators and can function an effective compound for improving plant stress tolerance. The Raman intensity increased from 841 to 4449 for the Raman shift at 1327 cm−1, about 5.29 times stronger. The SERS experiments using the kinetin of ultralow concentrations are measured and it shows that femto Molar can be measured. The numerical simulations indicated that the enhancement factor was about 4 times for plane wave illumination and 3.1 times for focused Gaussian beam. It has considerable potential for different analytes in sensing applications.

Kinetin Detection Enhancement Based on Photonic Nanojets and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

AbstractCoconut water is an ancient, natural beverage and its popularity in the international market has been continuously increasing in recent years. Coconut water in its natural form is a refreshing and nutritious beverage, which is extensively consumed across the globe due to its beneficial properties to health. Various chemical components which contribute to its bioactivity are essential to the plant industry, biotechnology and biomedical fields. Large number of studies have been conducted on the bio chemical composition, properties and reactions of coconut water. This chapter provides extensive information generated on important constituents such as amino acids, antimicrobial peptides, aromatic compounds, electrolytes, enzymes, phytohormones, polyphenols, sugars and vitamins apart from properties and reactions (flavour, rancidity, turbidity, appearance/colour, pH and acidity). Although many reports on the chemical content of coconut water is already available, there may still be unknown constituents which contribute to its special biological effects. Information on the technological advancements made in the instrumental methods of analysis is furnished in a section. Thus, with the development of more advanced detection techniques, screening can be intensified to detect and identify novel compounds of medicinal values present in coconut water. 

Composition, Properties and Reactions of Coconut Water

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

Trans-zeatin and kinetin are two cytokinin family members that exhibit an anti-aging effect on human fibroblast cells. These cytokinins can be found in coconut water and in the xylem sap of most plants. This study describes the first attempt of a simultaneous separation of zeatin and kinetin using a simple C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) method coupled with ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). This method provided high recoveries of 95.2 and 98.6% for trans-zeatin and kinetin, respectively. Malayan Green Dwarf, a local coconut variety, was found to contain 14 μg/L trans-zeatin and 4 μg/L kinetin. This method will be useful for comprehensive research on different coconut varieties and determining the contents of cytokinins in coconut water.

Simultaneous detection and quantification of zeatin and kinetin in coconut water using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with a simple step solid phase extraction

S. P. Koh

Papers

Simultaneous detection and quantification of zeatin and kinetin in coconut water using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with a simple step solid phase extraction