Coconut water has several uses that are beneficial to humans, mainly because of its nutritional and medicinal properties. In this study coconut water samples were collected from the fresh mature coconuts and from pack...Coconut water has several uses that are beneficial to humans, mainly because of its nutritional and medicinal properties. In this study coconut water samples were collected from the fresh mature coconuts and from packaged processed coconut water to measure the radon concentrations in them. The results were used to estimate the annual effective radiation dose to the general adult population from ingestion of coconut water. The samples were analyzed for radon concentrations using the Durridge RAD-7 radon detector. The results of measured radon concentrations for the fresh mature coconut were ranged from 381.10 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> to 1716.80 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span>. The results for packaged processed coconut samples ranged from 68.08 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> to 556.85 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span>. The mean values for the samples were (1081.40 and 222.78) Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> for the fresh and processed samples, respectively. The estimated mean annual effective doses (AED) due to ingestion of coconut water were 0.41 and 0.08 μSv·y<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-1</sup></span> for fresh and processed samples, respectively. These values are significantly lower than the safe limits recommended by the World Health Organization and the European Commission of 0.1 mSv·y<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-1</sup></span> and the maximum contamination level (MCL) of 11,000 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and so do not constitute a risk to consumers of coconut water.展开更多
Objective:To investigate whether tender coconut water(TCW) mitigates oxidative stress in fructose fed hypertensive rats.Methods:Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with fructose rich diet and treated with TCW(4 mL/100 g...Objective:To investigate whether tender coconut water(TCW) mitigates oxidative stress in fructose fed hypertensive rats.Methods:Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with fructose rich diet and treated with TCW(4 mL/100 g of body weight) for 3 subsequent weeks.Systolic blootl pressure was measured every three days using the indirect tail cuff method.At the end of the experimental period,plasma glucose and insulin,serum triglycerides and free fatly acids, lipid peroxidation markers(MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in all the groups.Results:Treatment with TCW significandy lowered the systolic blood pressure and reduced serum triglycerides and free fatty acids.Plasma glucose and insulin levels and lipid peroxidation markers such as MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were significantly reduced in fructose fed rats treated with TCW.Activities of antioxidant enzymes are up regulated significantly in TCW treated rats.Hislopathological analysis of liver showed that TCW treatment reduced the lipid accumulation and inflammatory infiltration without any significant hepatocellular damage.Conclusions:The overall results suggest that, TCW treatment could prevent and reverse high blood pressure induced by high fructose diet probably by inhibition of lipid peroxidation,upregulation of antioxidant status and improved insulin sensitivity.展开更多
The coconut water is the most nutritious wholesome beverage in all coconut producing countries. Folk medicine describes the use of coconut water to reduce toxic effects of nicotine and alcohol in reproductive function...The coconut water is the most nutritious wholesome beverage in all coconut producing countries. Folk medicine describes the use of coconut water to reduce toxic effects of nicotine and alcohol in reproductive function in men, but its direct evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tender and mature coconut water consumption on nicotine induced changes in sperm quality, spermatogenic cell density, activity of testicular marker enzymes for spermatogenesis and testosterone level of male healthy rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with tender and mature coconut water intragastrically and nicotine subcutaneously for 15 days. The findings indicated that the coconut water supplementation improves epididymal spermatogenic cell density (p ≤ 0.05), sperm motility and morphology which were altered by nicotine. The activity of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was increased (p ≤ 0.05), which indicates that treatment with coconut water provides significant protection of germinal epithelium from nicotine toxicity. Coconut water also shows a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in testosterone levels in nicotine treated rats. Coconut water ameliorates the reproductive toxicity caused by nicotine due to presence on nutrients L-arginine, ascorbic acid, minerals like calcium and magnesium.展开更多
In order to do a best stipulation on her consumption, it is necessary to know if a food provoke faintly, fairly or highly the glyceamia. The aim of this work was to evaluate the glycemic index of coconut water sugar f...In order to do a best stipulation on her consumption, it is necessary to know if a food provoke faintly, fairly or highly the glyceamia. The aim of this work was to evaluate the glycemic index of coconut water sugar from three coconuts varieties. So, with a cohort of 15 people, a capillary blood was collect after sugar ingestion and the glycaemia read directly on a glucometer. The result showed that the brown and white sugar from coconut sugar can be classified as low glycemic index food. Also, the glycemic indexes of white coconut water sugar are 2 to 3 more lower than that the brown sugar. The glycemic indexes of sugars vary according to the variety of coconut used. The sugars of the coconut palm (MYD) are more hyper-glycemic than those of the hybrid (PB121+) which is more hyperglycemic than the sugars of the coconut palm (WAT). Thus, with a controlled consumption, the coconut water sugars could be the sugars that are best for the health of the healthy and diabetic populations because it raises slightly the postprandial glucose.展开更多
In this study, graphitic carbon nitride deposited silica(g-C3N4@SiO2) was prepared by simple pyrolysis of melamine on silica and then used as a solid-phase extraction(SPE) sorbent for the extraction of four repres...In this study, graphitic carbon nitride deposited silica(g-C3N4@SiO2) was prepared by simple pyrolysis of melamine on silica and then used as a solid-phase extraction(SPE) sorbent for the extraction of four representative aromatic acids including benzoic acid(BA), salicylic acid(SA), indolyl-3-butyricacid(IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid(NAA) in coconut water(CW) samples, g-C3N4@SiO2 exhibited an excellent adsorption capacity for the four aromatic acids, which are in the concentration range of 500--558.8 gg/g. The four aromatic acids could be directly captured by g-C3N4@SiO2 from CW samples within 5 rain. Thus, a rapid, simple and effective method for the analy- sis of four aromatic acids in CW samples was developed by coupling g-C3N4@SiO2-based SPE with high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(HPLC-UV) detection. The linearity of the developed method was in the range of 20--1000 ng/mL and its limit of detection was in the range of 1.9--5.7 ng/mL, which were signi- ficantly lower than those of the reported similar methods. The intra-day and inter-day precisions(based on the relative standard deviation, n=3) of the four aromatic acids were under 9.5% and 10.4%, respectively. The developed method was applied to determining the four aromatic acids in real CW samples and the spiked recoveries varied from 81.1% to 121.8%.展开更多
In recent years,carbon quantum dots(CQDs)have been of great enthrallment in the fluorescent probe field.Carbon precursors with interesting physicochemical properties may be derived from natural sources.In this researc...In recent years,carbon quantum dots(CQDs)have been of great enthrallment in the fluorescent probe field.Carbon precursors with interesting physicochemical properties may be derived from natural sources.In this research,for the first time,coconut water has been used as a source of carbon to prepare blue fluorescent CQDs without any modification and functionalization.The preparation of CQDs is very simple and cost-effective,when compared with other conventional techniques.The reaction parameters temperature and pH were varied to obtain monodispersed spherical CQDs with an average grain size of ∼5 nm.The CQDs exhibit blue emission with a wavelength of 487 nm with an excitation wavelength of 390 nm and are used for Fe^(3+) ions detection.Fe^(3+) ions have been observed to quench the fluorescence intensity of the CQDs than other heavy metals.In the presence of Fe^(3+) ions,the fluorescent CQDs are quenched due to the interaction of CQDs and Fe^(3+) ions.A spectroscopic result shows that Fe^(3+) ions can be observed within a concentration of 0-700μM,as well as the detection limit is 0.30μM.The CQDs provide a unique pathway for potential application in the environmental monitoring of heavy metal ions.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effects of coconut water intake on lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices of albino rabbits overdosed with paracetamol using standard methods.Methods:Thirty-five albino rabbits we...Objective:To investigate the effects of coconut water intake on lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices of albino rabbits overdosed with paracetamol using standard methods.Methods:Thirty-five albino rabbits weighing between 800-1200 g and aged between 2 and 3 months,were divided into 7 groups(I-VII)of 5 animals each.Groups I,II and III were orally administered distilled water(20 mL/kg body weight),coconut water(20 mL/kg body weight)and paracetamol(1000 mg/kg body weight)respectively,for 7 days.Groups IV and V were administered coconut water(20 mL/kg body weight)and silymarin(35 mg/kg body weight),respectively,for 6 days,then paracetamol(1000 mg/kg body weight)on the 7th day.Groups VI and VII were administered distilled water for 6 days,paracetamol on the 7th day,then coconut water and silymarin,respectively,after 3 h.Results:The results showed that paracetamol overdose significantly reduced(P<0.05)the mean body weight of the animals,increased the concentrations of serum total cholesterol,triacylglycerol,very low density lipoprotein cholesterol,low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the atherogenic predictor indices but reduced the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration of the animals relative to the control.The observed changes in the lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices were countered more by post-than pre-treatment with coconut water and silymarin.Conclusions:The results indicated that coconut water acted as an effective antidote to paracetamol overdose-induced lipid abnormality in animals.展开更多
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water is a refreshing drink consumed mostly directly from the fruit. However, in recent times, consumers in Accra prefer to have it transferred into plastic bags for later consumption;this ...Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water is a refreshing drink consumed mostly directly from the fruit. However, in recent times, consumers in Accra prefer to have it transferred into plastic bags for later consumption;this favours a high risk of bacterial contamination. Since it is rich in nutrient, it may become unwholesome with possible high bacteria loads. However, its use for managing and preventing diarrhoeal diseases and the report that coconut water contains anti-bacterial proteins, suggests a bacteria growth inhibition potential for it. Therefore, the propensity of fresh coconut water to support the growth of two pathogenic bacteria was studied. Using mostly optical density measurement, and where possible, growth parameters and bacteria loads were estimated for the growth of two gram negative bacteria in fresh, stored and sterilized coconut water, and also in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth as a control. The study revealed that fresh coconut water is a drink favourable for the survival and growth of Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It supported the growth of these bacteria recording lag times of 101.4 ± 1.00 minutes for E. coli and 154.8 ± 0.45 minutes for K. pneumoniae, and high loads of viable cells of ~ 2.27 × 108 cfu/mL and > 2.83 × 108 cfu/mL at the stationary phase for E. coli and K. pneumoniae respectively. These and other growth parameters in coconut water were comparable to those in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth medium. However, when autoclaved, gamma irradiated or stored at 4℃ for two weeks or more, the growth of these bacteria becomes extremely limited. Fresh coconut water will support the growth of these bacteria to high and infective load of viable cell if it becomes contaminated with and is kept at ambient temperatures for two or more hours. Thus, it will be safer to consume coconut water directly from the fruit, since there is a high risk for bacteria contamination associated with the transfer and storage in other containers.展开更多
The use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has previously been reported as successful but expensive. To s...The use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has previously been reported as successful but expensive. To source for cheaper alternatives, this study compared the effect of some natural and synthetic hormones on rooting of vine cuttings in two varieties of Dioscorea alata. Vine cuttings from three months old water yam varieties were treated separately with 1%, 3% and 5% concentrations of each of the following: neem leaf ash, coconut water, 2,4-D and IBA with water as control. Treated cuttings were planted in triplicates in polythene bags using the completely randomised design and watered once in two days for 49 days. Data collected on rooting percentage, number of roots per plant, mean root length, number and length of new vines were subjected to analysis of variance tests and the means separated using least significant difference tests. A 100% rooting was observed in vines treated with 1% or 3% coconut water and neem ash. These vines also generated significantly greater number of new vines (P < 0.05) compared to those from synthetic hormones. Vines treated with 5% neem produced the highest number of roots (145.33 ± 9.21;P < 0.001) while those treated with 3% neem produced the longest roots (45.3 ± 9.23 cm) followed by those treated with 3% coconut water (24.3 ± 3.48). The study reveals that neem leaf ash and coconut water are better root promoting agents for water yam vines than 2,4-D and IBA and could be tested further for use as natural hormonal substitutes to the synthetic hormones.展开更多
This research work developed and evaluated the mechanical properties of coconut fibre reinforced low density polyethylene (LPDE) composite material. The effect of fibre loading on the mechanical properties: tensile, f...This research work developed and evaluated the mechanical properties of coconut fibre reinforced low density polyethylene (LPDE) composite material. The effect of fibre loading on the mechanical properties: tensile, flexural, and impact of the developed composite material have been investigated. Also carried out was the effect of fibre loading on the water absorptivity of the developed material. Sample categories of the developed composite were prepared by varying the fibre contents by weight at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The aim is to reduce the excessive waste disposal of LDPE materials that are largely found in the form of disposed water package materials (or pure water sachets) that usually affects the environment in the form of pollution. The water retting process was applied in extracting and cleaning fibre (or coir), while the mixed coir-LDPE (or developed composite material) was prepared by Compression Moulding Technique (CMT). The tensile and flexural properties were tested using Hounsfield Monsanto Tensometer (type w) while the impact properties were tested using the Charpy Impact testing machine. The microstructure of the composite was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The fractured surface morphology of the composite samples indicated a homogeneous mixture of the coir fibre and LDPE matrix. However, weak interfacial bonding between the coir fibre and LDPE matrix was also observed. The analysis of the water absorptivity showed that the developed composite materials have low water absorptivity at low fibre loading. However, at higher fibre loading, the water absorptivity increases significantly.展开更多
文摘Coconut water has several uses that are beneficial to humans, mainly because of its nutritional and medicinal properties. In this study coconut water samples were collected from the fresh mature coconuts and from packaged processed coconut water to measure the radon concentrations in them. The results were used to estimate the annual effective radiation dose to the general adult population from ingestion of coconut water. The samples were analyzed for radon concentrations using the Durridge RAD-7 radon detector. The results of measured radon concentrations for the fresh mature coconut were ranged from 381.10 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> to 1716.80 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span>. The results for packaged processed coconut samples ranged from 68.08 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> to 556.85 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span>. The mean values for the samples were (1081.40 and 222.78) Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> for the fresh and processed samples, respectively. The estimated mean annual effective doses (AED) due to ingestion of coconut water were 0.41 and 0.08 μSv·y<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-1</sup></span> for fresh and processed samples, respectively. These values are significantly lower than the safe limits recommended by the World Health Organization and the European Commission of 0.1 mSv·y<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-1</sup></span> and the maximum contamination level (MCL) of 11,000 Bq·m<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><sup>-3</sup></span> by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and so do not constitute a risk to consumers of coconut water.
基金University of Kerala,Thiruvananthapuram,India for financial Support
文摘Objective:To investigate whether tender coconut water(TCW) mitigates oxidative stress in fructose fed hypertensive rats.Methods:Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with fructose rich diet and treated with TCW(4 mL/100 g of body weight) for 3 subsequent weeks.Systolic blootl pressure was measured every three days using the indirect tail cuff method.At the end of the experimental period,plasma glucose and insulin,serum triglycerides and free fatly acids, lipid peroxidation markers(MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in all the groups.Results:Treatment with TCW significandy lowered the systolic blood pressure and reduced serum triglycerides and free fatty acids.Plasma glucose and insulin levels and lipid peroxidation markers such as MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were significantly reduced in fructose fed rats treated with TCW.Activities of antioxidant enzymes are up regulated significantly in TCW treated rats.Hislopathological analysis of liver showed that TCW treatment reduced the lipid accumulation and inflammatory infiltration without any significant hepatocellular damage.Conclusions:The overall results suggest that, TCW treatment could prevent and reverse high blood pressure induced by high fructose diet probably by inhibition of lipid peroxidation,upregulation of antioxidant status and improved insulin sensitivity.
文摘The coconut water is the most nutritious wholesome beverage in all coconut producing countries. Folk medicine describes the use of coconut water to reduce toxic effects of nicotine and alcohol in reproductive function in men, but its direct evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tender and mature coconut water consumption on nicotine induced changes in sperm quality, spermatogenic cell density, activity of testicular marker enzymes for spermatogenesis and testosterone level of male healthy rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with tender and mature coconut water intragastrically and nicotine subcutaneously for 15 days. The findings indicated that the coconut water supplementation improves epididymal spermatogenic cell density (p ≤ 0.05), sperm motility and morphology which were altered by nicotine. The activity of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was increased (p ≤ 0.05), which indicates that treatment with coconut water provides significant protection of germinal epithelium from nicotine toxicity. Coconut water also shows a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in testosterone levels in nicotine treated rats. Coconut water ameliorates the reproductive toxicity caused by nicotine due to presence on nutrients L-arginine, ascorbic acid, minerals like calcium and magnesium.
文摘In order to do a best stipulation on her consumption, it is necessary to know if a food provoke faintly, fairly or highly the glyceamia. The aim of this work was to evaluate the glycemic index of coconut water sugar from three coconuts varieties. So, with a cohort of 15 people, a capillary blood was collect after sugar ingestion and the glycaemia read directly on a glucometer. The result showed that the brown and white sugar from coconut sugar can be classified as low glycemic index food. Also, the glycemic indexes of white coconut water sugar are 2 to 3 more lower than that the brown sugar. The glycemic indexes of sugars vary according to the variety of coconut used. The sugars of the coconut palm (MYD) are more hyper-glycemic than those of the hybrid (PB121+) which is more hyperglycemic than the sugars of the coconut palm (WAT). Thus, with a controlled consumption, the coconut water sugars could be the sugars that are best for the health of the healthy and diabetic populations because it raises slightly the postprandial glucose.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31671929, 21475098) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China.
文摘In this study, graphitic carbon nitride deposited silica(g-C3N4@SiO2) was prepared by simple pyrolysis of melamine on silica and then used as a solid-phase extraction(SPE) sorbent for the extraction of four representative aromatic acids including benzoic acid(BA), salicylic acid(SA), indolyl-3-butyricacid(IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid(NAA) in coconut water(CW) samples, g-C3N4@SiO2 exhibited an excellent adsorption capacity for the four aromatic acids, which are in the concentration range of 500--558.8 gg/g. The four aromatic acids could be directly captured by g-C3N4@SiO2 from CW samples within 5 rain. Thus, a rapid, simple and effective method for the analy- sis of four aromatic acids in CW samples was developed by coupling g-C3N4@SiO2-based SPE with high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(HPLC-UV) detection. The linearity of the developed method was in the range of 20--1000 ng/mL and its limit of detection was in the range of 1.9--5.7 ng/mL, which were signi- ficantly lower than those of the reported similar methods. The intra-day and inter-day precisions(based on the relative standard deviation, n=3) of the four aromatic acids were under 9.5% and 10.4%, respectively. The developed method was applied to determining the four aromatic acids in real CW samples and the spiked recoveries varied from 81.1% to 121.8%.
文摘In recent years,carbon quantum dots(CQDs)have been of great enthrallment in the fluorescent probe field.Carbon precursors with interesting physicochemical properties may be derived from natural sources.In this research,for the first time,coconut water has been used as a source of carbon to prepare blue fluorescent CQDs without any modification and functionalization.The preparation of CQDs is very simple and cost-effective,when compared with other conventional techniques.The reaction parameters temperature and pH were varied to obtain monodispersed spherical CQDs with an average grain size of ∼5 nm.The CQDs exhibit blue emission with a wavelength of 487 nm with an excitation wavelength of 390 nm and are used for Fe^(3+) ions detection.Fe^(3+) ions have been observed to quench the fluorescence intensity of the CQDs than other heavy metals.In the presence of Fe^(3+) ions,the fluorescent CQDs are quenched due to the interaction of CQDs and Fe^(3+) ions.A spectroscopic result shows that Fe^(3+) ions can be observed within a concentration of 0-700μM,as well as the detection limit is 0.30μM.The CQDs provide a unique pathway for potential application in the environmental monitoring of heavy metal ions.
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of coconut water intake on lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices of albino rabbits overdosed with paracetamol using standard methods.Methods:Thirty-five albino rabbits weighing between 800-1200 g and aged between 2 and 3 months,were divided into 7 groups(I-VII)of 5 animals each.Groups I,II and III were orally administered distilled water(20 mL/kg body weight),coconut water(20 mL/kg body weight)and paracetamol(1000 mg/kg body weight)respectively,for 7 days.Groups IV and V were administered coconut water(20 mL/kg body weight)and silymarin(35 mg/kg body weight),respectively,for 6 days,then paracetamol(1000 mg/kg body weight)on the 7th day.Groups VI and VII were administered distilled water for 6 days,paracetamol on the 7th day,then coconut water and silymarin,respectively,after 3 h.Results:The results showed that paracetamol overdose significantly reduced(P<0.05)the mean body weight of the animals,increased the concentrations of serum total cholesterol,triacylglycerol,very low density lipoprotein cholesterol,low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the atherogenic predictor indices but reduced the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration of the animals relative to the control.The observed changes in the lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices were countered more by post-than pre-treatment with coconut water and silymarin.Conclusions:The results indicated that coconut water acted as an effective antidote to paracetamol overdose-induced lipid abnormality in animals.
文摘Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water is a refreshing drink consumed mostly directly from the fruit. However, in recent times, consumers in Accra prefer to have it transferred into plastic bags for later consumption;this favours a high risk of bacterial contamination. Since it is rich in nutrient, it may become unwholesome with possible high bacteria loads. However, its use for managing and preventing diarrhoeal diseases and the report that coconut water contains anti-bacterial proteins, suggests a bacteria growth inhibition potential for it. Therefore, the propensity of fresh coconut water to support the growth of two pathogenic bacteria was studied. Using mostly optical density measurement, and where possible, growth parameters and bacteria loads were estimated for the growth of two gram negative bacteria in fresh, stored and sterilized coconut water, and also in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth as a control. The study revealed that fresh coconut water is a drink favourable for the survival and growth of Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It supported the growth of these bacteria recording lag times of 101.4 ± 1.00 minutes for E. coli and 154.8 ± 0.45 minutes for K. pneumoniae, and high loads of viable cells of ~ 2.27 × 108 cfu/mL and > 2.83 × 108 cfu/mL at the stationary phase for E. coli and K. pneumoniae respectively. These and other growth parameters in coconut water were comparable to those in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth medium. However, when autoclaved, gamma irradiated or stored at 4℃ for two weeks or more, the growth of these bacteria becomes extremely limited. Fresh coconut water will support the growth of these bacteria to high and infective load of viable cell if it becomes contaminated with and is kept at ambient temperatures for two or more hours. Thus, it will be safer to consume coconut water directly from the fruit, since there is a high risk for bacteria contamination associated with the transfer and storage in other containers.
文摘The use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has previously been reported as successful but expensive. To source for cheaper alternatives, this study compared the effect of some natural and synthetic hormones on rooting of vine cuttings in two varieties of Dioscorea alata. Vine cuttings from three months old water yam varieties were treated separately with 1%, 3% and 5% concentrations of each of the following: neem leaf ash, coconut water, 2,4-D and IBA with water as control. Treated cuttings were planted in triplicates in polythene bags using the completely randomised design and watered once in two days for 49 days. Data collected on rooting percentage, number of roots per plant, mean root length, number and length of new vines were subjected to analysis of variance tests and the means separated using least significant difference tests. A 100% rooting was observed in vines treated with 1% or 3% coconut water and neem ash. These vines also generated significantly greater number of new vines (P < 0.05) compared to those from synthetic hormones. Vines treated with 5% neem produced the highest number of roots (145.33 ± 9.21;P < 0.001) while those treated with 3% neem produced the longest roots (45.3 ± 9.23 cm) followed by those treated with 3% coconut water (24.3 ± 3.48). The study reveals that neem leaf ash and coconut water are better root promoting agents for water yam vines than 2,4-D and IBA and could be tested further for use as natural hormonal substitutes to the synthetic hormones.
文摘This research work developed and evaluated the mechanical properties of coconut fibre reinforced low density polyethylene (LPDE) composite material. The effect of fibre loading on the mechanical properties: tensile, flexural, and impact of the developed composite material have been investigated. Also carried out was the effect of fibre loading on the water absorptivity of the developed material. Sample categories of the developed composite were prepared by varying the fibre contents by weight at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The aim is to reduce the excessive waste disposal of LDPE materials that are largely found in the form of disposed water package materials (or pure water sachets) that usually affects the environment in the form of pollution. The water retting process was applied in extracting and cleaning fibre (or coir), while the mixed coir-LDPE (or developed composite material) was prepared by Compression Moulding Technique (CMT). The tensile and flexural properties were tested using Hounsfield Monsanto Tensometer (type w) while the impact properties were tested using the Charpy Impact testing machine. The microstructure of the composite was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The fractured surface morphology of the composite samples indicated a homogeneous mixture of the coir fibre and LDPE matrix. However, weak interfacial bonding between the coir fibre and LDPE matrix was also observed. The analysis of the water absorptivity showed that the developed composite materials have low water absorptivity at low fibre loading. However, at higher fibre loading, the water absorptivity increases significantly.