Coconut-based Nutrition and Nutraceutical Perspectives

This book presents the latest information on the biomolecules derived from the coconut and their prominent roles in human well-being. The various parts of the coconut (fruit, kernel, nut water, floral sap, etc.) are packed with a wide range of nutrients, namely health-promoting lauric acid and wellness-providing phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant-rich molecules. Incisive perspectives on various primary and secondary products of the coconut namely coconut kernel, milk, coconut water, coconut oil and virgin coconut oil, coconut inflorescence sap (neera), coconut blossom sugar and its diverse food products form the core of this collection. The potential of the coconut as a powerhouse of the repertoire of nutraceutical products and its implications for human nutrition are also discussed. Finally, a chapter discusses the global trade potential of coconut and coconut products in the wake of their ever-increasing global demand.

The authors are experts who have contributed to the field of nutritional profiling of coconut. This volume will serve as a reference for researchers in the fields of plant and human nutrition interface, palm-based food products, and students who wish to learn about palm nutrition and its impact on human well-being.

S.V. Ramesh is presently serving ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICARCPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, India, as a Senior Scientist (Biotechnology). His field of specialization is plant biochemistry and molecular biology having obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees in plant biochemistry. His current research focus includes nutritional biochemistry and bioactives of nutraceutical potential in plantation crops. He is a recipient of DBT-CTEP, DST-ITS Travel Awards and AABSc-sponsored Young Plant Biotechnologist Award. His postdoctoral research in the field of plant and viral small non-coding RNAs at Washington State University, USA, was sponsored under DBT-CREST Fellowship. He has published many scholarly articles―spread over diverse fields, viz., plantation biology, nutrition biochemistry and plant–virus interactions―in journals of international and national repute and presented his research findings in several international scientific fora. He also features in the editorial boards of international journals PLOS ONE, Measurement: Food and Journal of Plantation Crops.

Shelly Praveen has an illustrious career in research, teaching, program management, and research policy development at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India. Dr. Praveen’s contributions as a Head of the Division of Biochemistry at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, and Director of the Centre for Advanced Faculty Training are immense. She bolstered the industry-academia synergy and launched a portfolio of developing millet-based fortified foods. Earlier, Dr. Praveen led a multidisciplinary team in the development of virus-resistant transgenic tomato and collaborated with international academia including Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain; King Saud University; Scottish Crop Research Institute; CIB, CSIC, Spain; and CREC, Florida, USA. Dr. Praveen has been honored with coveted Awards and Fellowships including Fellow of NASI, Fellow of NAAS, Associate of The World Academy of Sciences, and Panjabrao Deshmukh Outstanding Woman Scientist Award, ICAR. Currently, she is engaged in nutrition for health management through service in nutritionally important foods across globe.