Physicochemical, Volatile Organic Composition, Phenolic, Flavonoid and Ascorbic Acid Contents, Antioxidant, Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cocos nucifera Juice

Abstract

Various parts of Cocos nuciferaare locally usefor treatment of diseases and production of some foods and beverages for man and animals. This study examined the physicochemical properties, phytochemical and multi therapeutic potentials of juice of C. nucifera from Nigeria. These were measured usingGC-MS, pH meter, specific gravity, UV-Vis spectrometry, Folin-Ciocalteu’s, aluminium chloride, DPPH, PTAC and egg albumin methods respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of nitroisobutylglycerol as the most abundant volatile organic compoundsin the juice. The pH, clarity, turbidity, TPC, TFC and TAAwere 5.09, 1.34, 1.07, 2,261.5±0.00 ±0.0 µgmg-1 GAE, 20.00±0.0 µgmg-1 QE and 66.75±0.00 ±0.0 µgmg-1 AAE, respectively. The antioxidant IC50and AAI values of the juice were0.25mgml-1and 160 and it was capable of scavenging free radicals at a range between33.09-76.26%. The TAC was 645.38±0.00 µgmg-1 AAE. The protein denaturation inhibition capacity wasat the range between 42.0-73.4%.Therefore, the juice of C. nuciferacould be used as multi therapeutic agent.