Proximate Composition of Coconut Oil (cocos Nucifera L.)

Student: Ogheneruona Moses Efejuku (Project, 2025)
Department of Medical Biochemistry
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

Abstract

The coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), a tropical plant from the Arecaceae family also referred to as the "tree of life".The coconut fruit consists of the husk, shell, and edible kernel, all of which hold both nutritional and commercial significance.

This study evaluates the proximate composition of coconut oil to determine its nutritional and chemical characteristics. The analysis revealed that coconut oil is predominantly composed of fat, with a high lipid content of 97.3%, making it a rich source of energy. The moisture content was 1.55–1.61%, indicating good storage stability and minimal susceptibility to microbial contamination. Protein content was low, at 0.34–0.37%, which is expected for oils, as they primarily consist of triglycerides. No ash or fiber was detected, confirming the absence of non-lipid impurities. The carbohydrate content was minimal, ranging between 0.73–0.78%, likely due to residual plant material or minor impurities. These results indicate that coconut oil is highly pure, with minimal moisture and non-fat components, making it ideal for culinary, cosmetic, and industrial applications. The findings align with expected standards for high-quality coconut oil, supporting its widespread use in various industries.

Keywords
proximate composition coconut cocos nucifera
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