Photo © Steven Foster
Introduction
The coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm.1 It is oval to round in shape and 6 to 12 inches in diameter. The dry, hard outer shell is brown, green or yellow in color.1 It is unclear if the coconut is native to the Southeast Asian peninsula or northwest South America.2 The coconut palm is currently distributed over the islands and coasts of the tropic zone.3 Every part of the coconut can be used.3 History and Cultural Significance
Fossils of small coconut-like plants have been found in New Zealand and India dating back 15 million years.2 In folk medicine, coconuts were used to treat various conditions involving the respiratory, endocrine, digestive, female reproductive, circulatory, nervous, and immune systems as well as certain dermatological (skin) conditions.4 The coconut palm is referred to as the kalpa vriksha in Sanskrit, meaning “the tree which provides all the necessities of life.”3 The white nut-meat of the coconut can be eaten raw, or shredded and dried to be used in cooking.3 A single coconut contains as much protein as a quarter pound of beefsteak.3 Coconut milk, which is roughly 17% fat, can be made from grated coconut and hot milk or water.2 Coconut water, used as a refreshing drink, is found in the cavity of the coconut. Unless the coconut is spoiled, the water is sterile until the coconut is opened.Coconut water has been used when there is a lack of standard IV fluid for intravenous hydration, because it is high in calcium, chloride, potassium, and sugars.2 Copra, the dried meat of the nut, is crushed to release coconut oil.3 Rich in glycerin, copra is used to make shampoos, soaps, shaving creams, lubricants and toothpaste.4 Modern Research
A polyphenolic-rich extract of the fibrous husk of C. nucifera is currently being studied for its possible antibacterial and antiviral activity.5 A study has also been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a formulation of coconut (Cocos nucifera), palm nut (Eleais guineensis) and gobi (Carapa procera) against bites from black flies.6 Future Outlook
Several bacterial, fungal, and virus-like diseases such as Lethal Yellowing disease1 pose a threat to the future production of coconuts.4 Lethal Yellowing is transmitted by a leafhopper,7 and causes fruit-fall of all sizes, dries out the leaves, kills the palm-heart, and collapses the growing shoots. Palms normally die in four to six months once infected.7 The Malayan strains, called dwarf or pygmy coconuts, are resistant to Lethal Yellowing and are preferred for commercial planting.1 Coconut trees are also attacked by nematodes, insect pests and the black or rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros).4 The coconut weevil transmits a nematode to coconuts and palms which causes Red Ring disease.7 Red ring affects the leaves, soft tissue of the trunk, nuts and heart of the palm. The infected palm dies three to four months later.7 Within producing countries, the coconut is economically important due to its wide and varied utilization.3 In the Phillippines, Indonesia and India, 80 million people depend directly on coconut and its processing for their livelihood.8 Coconut farmers today are suffering from low prices, declining yields and decreasing farm productivity.8 The Coconut Development Board in India is actively supporting the production of coconuts while generating employment opportunities in the rural sector.9 This is being done by establishing Demonstration cum Seed Production Farms (DSP) for coconut and regional coconut nurseries attached to the DSP Farms, and by providing aid to registered, approved private coconut nurseries. They are assisting in planting to expand areas under coconut cultivation. The board is integrating farming practices for productivity improvement by providing compensation to remove disease advanced palms, laying out demonstration plots in farmers’ gardens, and aiding organic manure units.9 References
1 Gilman E, Watson D. Coconut Palm. 1993. Available at: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/COCNUCA.pdf. Accessed March 8, 2005. 2 Coconut. 2005. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut. Accessed February 4, 2005. 3 Smith K. Cocos nucifera. 1997. Available at: http://www.siu.edu/~ebl/. Accessed February 4, 2005. 4 Cocos nucifera L. 1996. Available at: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Cocos_nucifera.html. Accessed February 4, 2005. 5 Mendonca-Filho R, Rodrigues I, Alviano D, Santos A, Soares R, Alviano C, et al. Leishmanicidal activity of polyphenolic-rich extract from husk fiber of Cocos nucifera Linn. (Palmae). Res-Microbiol. 2004 Apr;155(3):136-143. 6 Sylla M, Konan L, Doannio J, Traore S. Evaluation of the efficacity of coconut (Cocos nucifera), palm nut (Eleais guineensis) and gobi (Carapa procera) lotions and creams in individual protection against Simulium damnosum s.l. bites in Cote d’Ivoire. Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2003 May;96(2):104-109. 7 Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Coconut Production. 2003. Available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.bz/Coconut%20Planting.html. Accessed March 11, 2005. 8 Coconut. 2005. Available at: http://www.egfar.org/action/partnership/cc/cocnut.shtml. Accessed March 11, 2005. 9 India AGRO Industry. 2005. Available at http://www.agriculture-industry-india.com/agro-programme-schemes/horticulture2.html. Accessed March 11, 2005.
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