Extraction of phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential from coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) testa and identification of phenolic acids and flavonoids using UPLC coupled with TQD-MS/MS
Abstract
Coconut testa, a brown skin covering of a coconut endosperm, is a rich source of phenolics. It is one of the by-products obtained in the coconut processing industries and currently underutilized despite being rich in phenolic compounds. A study was conducted to identify the suitable solvent system for maximum extractability of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) with antioxidant potential from the testa. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids of different solvent extracts were also determined using UPLC-H class coupled with TQD-MS/MS. The TPC and TFC ranged from 4.9 to 167 mg GAE/g and 8.84–115 mg QE/g defatted testa, respectively; significant differences were observed for various solvent systems studied. Acidification of solvents significantly increased the extractability of TPC and reduced the extractability of TFC. A total of 28 phenolics comprising 16 phenolic acids and 12 flavonoids were identified. Protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid are the major phenolic acids identified whereas, catechin, apigenin and kaempferol are the major flavonoids identified. In summary, this study proved that coconut testa is a natural source of multiple phenolics acids and flavonoids with potent antioxidant capacity, and it can be used as a natural source of antioxidants.
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Catechin (6.4-3451 μg/g), apigenin (33.0-3881 μg/g), and kaempferol (1187-9271 μg/g) are the major flavonoids in coconut testa.
“Researcher identified catechin (6.4–3451 µg/g), apigenin (33.0–3881 µg/g), and kaempferol (1187–9271 µg/g) as the major flavonoids in coconut testa during the analysis of flavonoid content and composition [57].”
From Nutritional composition and bioactive properties of tropical coconut palm fruit with functional food applications (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
Cites
Antioxidant activity of plant extracts containing phenolic compounds
Kähkönen, M. P., Hopia, A. I., Vuorela, H. J., Rauha, J.-P., Pihlaja, K., Kujala, T. S., & Heinonen, M. (1999) · Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · doi:10.1021/jf990146l · Cited by 3,854 · see citing works
Antioxidant capacity and phenolic acids of virgin coconut oil
Marina, A. M., Che man, Y. B., Nazimah, S. A. H., & Amin, I. (2009) · International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition · doi:10.1080/09637480802549127 · Cited by 269 · see citing works
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Ajibola, O. O. (2025) · Discover Food · doi:10.1007/s44187-025-00746-3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“These vitamins and antioxidants contribute to detoxification, promoting kidney and liver health [57].”
InfluentialComprehensive biochemical profiling of coconut haustorium for innovative food industry applications
Appukuttan Karakkatukunnel, A., Geetha Lekshmi, P. R., & Kanagarajan, S. (2024) · CyTA - Journal of Food · doi:10.1080/19476337.2024.2441333 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Arivalagan, M., Roy, T. K., Yasmeen, A. M., Pavithra, K. C., Jwala, P. N., Shivasankara, K. S., Manikantan, M. R., Hebbar, K. B., & Kanade, S. R.
- Affiliations
- Central University of Kerala (IN)
- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IN)
- Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Arivalagan, M.
- Kanade, S.R.
- Venue
- LWT
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-06
- Volume
- 92
- Pages
- 116-126
- ISSN
- 0023-6438 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2793156634
- Cited by
- 84
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 2.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- LWT (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- AICRP (1000767016)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Coconut Research and Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Edible Oils Quality and Analysis
- Keywords
- Cocos nucifera, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, solvent extraction, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, catechins, apigenin, kaempferol, natural antioxidants, coconut by-products
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