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Cited by 61Coconut Research and ApplicationsPhytochemicals and Antioxidant ActivitiesFood Science and Nutritional Studies

Evaluation of chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of coconut water (Cocus nucifera L.) and caffeic acid in cell culture

Open access
SANTOS, JOAO L.A., BISPO, VANDERSON S., B.C. FILHO, ADRIANO, PINTO, ISABELLA F.D., DANTAS, LUCAS S., VASCONCELOS, DAIANE F., ABREU, FABIULA F., MELO, DANILO A. +5 more·2013·Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
DOI 10.1590/0001-37652013105312
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Abstract

Coconut water contains several uncharacterized substances and is widely used in the human consumption. In this paper we detected and quantified ascorbic acid and caffeic acid and total phenolics in several varieties of coconut using HPLS/MS/MS (25.8 ± 0.6 µg/mL and 1.078 ± 0.013 µg/mL and 99.7 µg/mL, respectively, in the green dwarf coconut water, or 10 mg and 539 µg and 39.8 mg for units of coconut consumed, 500 ± 50 mL). The antioxidant potential of four coconut varieties (green dwarf, yellow dwarf, red dwarf and yellow Malaysian) was compared with two industrialized coconut waters and the lyophilized water of the green dwarf variety. All varieties were effective in scavenging the DPPH radical (IC50=73 µL) and oxide nitric (0.1 mL with an IP of 29.9%) as well as in inhibiting the in vitro production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (1 mL with an IP of 34.4%), highlighting the antioxidant properties of the green dwarf which it is the most common used. In cell culture, the green dwarf water was efficient in protecting against oxidative damages induced by hydrogen peroxide.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study quantified ascorbic acid, caffeic acid, and total phenolics in coconut water and compared antioxidant activity across four coconut varieties, two industrialized waters, and lyophilized green dwarf water. Green dwarf coconut water showed the strongest overall antioxidant profile and protected IMR-90 lung fibroblasts against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage.

Key findings

  • Green dwarf coconut water contained 25.8 ± 0.6 µg/mL ascorbic acid, 1.078 ± 0.013 µg/mL caffeic acid, and 99.4 ± 12.4 µg/mL total phenolics by Table I (abstract reports 99.7 µg/mL total phenolics); per 500 ± 50 mL coconut, this corresponded to 10 mg ascorbic acid, 539 µg caffeic acid, and 39.8 mg total phenolics.
  • All varieties scavenged DPPH; green dwarf showed the best activity with an IC₅₀ of 150.0 µg/mL in Table II and the best TBARS inhibition at 34.4% IP. Red dwarf had the highest nitric oxide inhibition at 57.7% IP, followed by yellow dwarf at 38.4% and yellow Malaysian at 36.5%.
  • Caffeic acid showed 28.2% IP in the TBARS assay, close to BHT, but only 3.8% IP for DPPH and did not reach IC₅₀ for in vitro NO analysis.
  • In IMR-90 lung fibroblasts, green dwarf coconut water pretreatment reduced intracellular ROS after 100 µM H₂O₂ exposure, with a significant difference from the H₂O₂ group; UHT and lyophilization reduced coconut water contents and therapeutic properties, and lyophilized water did not inhibit TBARS formation and significantly increased it versus the negative control.

Methods

  • Ten young coconuts (3–4 months) of each variety—green dwarf, yellow dwarf, red dwarf, and yellow Malaysian—were collected from EMBRAPA; UHT-processed and bottled green dwarf coconut waters were purchased locally.
  • Chemical analyses included HPLC-UV/VIS and HPLC/MS/MS for caffeic acid, dinitrophenylhydrazine assay for ascorbic acid, Folin-Ciocalteau for total phenolics, o-toluidine for glucose, and vanillin/sulfuric acid for total lipids. Antioxidant assays used DPPH radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging from nitroprusside, and TBARS with egg yolk homogenate; quercetin, ascorbic acid, and caffeic acid were positive controls.
  • Cell culture used IMR-90 lung fibroblasts with DCFH-DA to measure intracellular ROS after pretreatment with green dwarf lyophilized water (0.1% and 1%) or ascorbic acid (25 µg/mL), followed by 100 µM H₂O₂ for 5 min. Statistics used mean ± SD, ANOVA with Tukey’s test, and non-linear regression for IC₅₀ values.

Limitations

  • The paper states there is still “a huge gap in the determination of coconut water constituents” and that other phenolic compounds were not identified.
  • The paper notes possible ascorbic acid interference in the DCFH-DA method and possible β-oxidation generating peroxide in the 1% coconut water group; lyophilized water unexpectedly increased TBARS versus negative control.
  • Evident from the text: antioxidant assays are in vitro, cell work uses a single fibroblast line (IMR-90), and caffeic acid quantification was performed on green dwarf lyophilized coconut water rather than all varieties.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1590/0001-37652013105312

Cites

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 15 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The green dwarf variety exhibited the highest amount of ascorbic acid among the four coconut varieties analyzed.

    “The green dwarf variety exhibited the highest amount of total phenols and ascorbic acid (Table I).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Lyophilization of green dwarf coconut water did not significantly change its ascorbic acid concentration.

    “the ascorbic acid concentration demonstrated no significative change in this process (Table I).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The green dwarf variety showed the best antioxidant activity against DPPH with an IC50 of 150 μg/mL.

    “the green dwarf variety showed the best antioxidant activity with an IC 50 of 150 µg/mL DPPH.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For a 500 ± 50 mL unit of coconut consumed, green dwarf coconut water provides 39.8 mg total phenolics.

    “or 10 mg and 539 µg and 39.8 mg for units of coconut consumed, 500 ± 50 mL”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingreasoning

    In UHT commercial samples, the phenolic content was very low.

    “In the UHT commercial samples, the phenolic content was very low”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 11
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 9

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The HPLC/MS/MS method detected caffeic acid standard at m/z 181→163 with a retention time of 8.2 minutes.

    “the caffeic acid (standard Sigma) forming majority m/z = 181 → 163 at a retention time (RT) of the 8.2 minutes”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the inhibition of nitrite formation from NPS 5 mM solution, the red dwarf variety had the highest IP value of 57.7%, followed by yellow dwarf (38.4%) and yellow Malaysian (36.5%).

    “the red dwarf variety was highlighted for its relatively high IP value of 57.7%, followed by the yellow dwarf (IP=38.4%)and the yellow Malaysian (IP=36.5%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The lyophilized green dwarf water was not able to inhibit TBARS formation and caused a significant increase (p<0.05) compared to the negative control.

    “it was not able to inhibit the formation of TBARS, therefore causing a significant increase (p<0.05) in the same, when compared to the negative control.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Pretreatment with green dwarf coconut water reduced intracellular ROS concentration in cultured IMR-90 lung fibroblasts exposed to H2O2.

    “showing that the pretreatment with coconut water was able to reduce the concen tration of intracellular ROS”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “In cell culture, the green dwarf water was efficient in protecting against oxidative damages induced by hydrogen peroxide.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Lung fibroblasts are an appropriate model for studying oxidative stress because the lung is highly vascularized with high oxygen pressure.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the TBARS assay, the green dwarf variety demonstrated the best antioxidant activity with 34.4% IP, followed by the red dwarf with 31.4% IP.

    “the green dwarf variety demonstrated the best antio xidant activity with 34.4% IP, followed by the red dwarf (IP=31.4%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The yellow Malaysian and the lyophilized water showed low antioxidant activity.

    “The yellow Malaysian and the lyophilized water showed low antioxidant activity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The ascorbic acid showed the highest antioxidant activity on DPPH radical scavenging and in inhibiting nitrite formation among the pure compounds tested.

    “Of these, the ascorbic acid showed the highest antioxidant activity on DPPH radical scavenging and in inhibiting the formation of nitrite”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    The HPLC/MS/MS analysis of lyophilized coconut water found a peak at the same retention time as caffeic acid when monitoring m/z 181→163.

    “when this transition (m/z = 181 → 163) is monitored in the LCW (150 µL of a solution 75 mg/L in MeOH 50%) we found a pick in same RT of the caffeic acid.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Coconut water plays an important alternative role for oral rehydration and even for intravenous hydration of patients in remote regions.

    “Moreover, coconut water plays an important alternative role for oral rehydration and even for intravenous hydration of patients in remote regions (Campbell-Falck et al. 2000)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Campbell-Falck et al. 2000 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The presence of ascorbic acid in natural coconut water is correlated with antioxidant properties.

    “Moreover, the presence of ascorbic acid in the natural CW was correlated with antioxidant properties (Mantena et al. 2003).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mantena et al. 2003 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The low phenolic content in UHT commercial samples is possibly due to the use of high temperatures at sterilization which degrades compounds and ascorbic acid.

    “possibly due to the use of high temperatures at sterilization which degrades compounds and ascorbic acid.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Antioxidant activities of polyphenolics derived from plants have claimed beneficial health functions for retarding aging and preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

    “Antioxidant activities of polyphenolics derived from plants have claimed beneficial health functions for retarding aging and preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases (Scalbert et al. 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Scalbert et al. 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Industrialized processes such as UHT and lyophilization drastically reduced the coconut water contents and therefore its therapeutic properties.

    “We also observed that the industrialized processes, such as UHT and lyophilization drastically reduced the coconut water contents and, therefore, its therapeutic properties.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Fonseca et al. (2009) confirmed the presence of long chain fatty acids such as palmitic and oleic acids in green dwarf water, and the possibility that β-oxidation generated a slight rise of peroxide responsible for increasing intracellular ROS in the CW 1% group.

    “Fonseca et al. (2009) confirmed the presence of long chain fatty acids such as the palmitic and oleic acids in green dwarf water, as well as the possibility that β-oxidation, occurring at the peroxisome level, generated a slight rise of peroxide, which is responsible by increasing intracellular ROS in CW 1% group.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fonseca et al. 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Treatment of WI-38 lung fibroblast cells with caffeic acid (0.5, 5 and 5 μM) reduced the fluorescence intensity by H2O2 treatment, reflecting a reduction of ROS generation.

    “In a previous study it was demonstrated that treatment of WI-38 lung fibroblast cells with caffeic acid (0.5, 5 and 5 µM) reduced the fluorescence intensity by H 2 O 2 treatment, reflecting a reduction of ROS generation (Kang et al. 2006).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kang et al. 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Natural substances such as gallic acid have an ability to scavenge nitric oxide.

    “As shown by a previous study (Maia et al. 2010), natural substances such as gallic acid have an ability to scavenge nitric oxide.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Maia et al. 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Caffeic acid can be present in coconut water because it is found in other parts of the coconut, such as the mesocarp, which is in direct contact with coconut water.

    “since it is found in other parts of the coconut, such as the mesocarp which is in direct contact with CW indicating that this compound can be present in the coconut water.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chakraborty and Mitra 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    High concentrations of NO can react with superoxide anion to produce peroxynitrite, which is involved in several disorders including lipid peroxidation, membrane destabilization, oxidation, protein nitration, and DNA damage.

    “In high concentrations NO can react with superoxide anion and produce potentially harmful peroxynitrite (Peluffo and Radi 2007), which is involved in the genesis of several disorders including induced lipid peroxidation, membrane destabilization (Virág et al. 2003), oxidation, protein nitration, and DNA damage (Ippoushi et al. 2009).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Peluffo and Radi 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Virág et al. 2003 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Ippoushi et al. 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Chlorogenic acid, a derivative of caffeic acid, is present in the mesocarp of Cocos nucifera.

    “Before that works showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, a derivative of caffeic acid in the mesorcarp of Cocos nucifera (Chakraborty and Mitra 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chakraborty and Mitra 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Caffeic acid is present in coconut oil from the copra.

    “A previous study confirmed the presence of caffeic acid in the coconut oil from the copra (Seneviratne and Dissanayake 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Seneviratne and Dissanayake 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Coconut water protects against induction of myocardial infarction.

    “in addition to protect against induction of myocardial infarction (Anurag and Rajamohan 2003).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Anurag and Rajamohan 2003 source

      Not checked in the free run.

21 of 21

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Green dwarf coconut water is the most consumed by the population.

    “the green dwarf variety is the most consumed by the population; therefore it was selected for lyophilization.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No prior study had identified and quantified caffeic acid in coconut water.

    “Until the present moment, any study showed the identification and quantification of caffeic acid in coconut water (Cocos nucifera L).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Lung fibroblasts are an appropriate model for studying oxidative stress because the lung is highly vascularized with high oxygen pressure.

    “fibroblasts were chosen taking in account that they usually exist in the lung, which is a highly vascularized organ with a large positive oxygen pressure, creating an environment adequate to oxidative reactions.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Caffeic acid identified in CW from the Malayan Green Dwarf variety contributes to its antioxidant activities.

    “Caffeic acid, identified in CW from the Malayan Green Dwarf variety, has been reported to contribute to its antioxidant activities [44].”

    From Research Progress in Coconut Water: A Review of Nutritional Composition, Biological Activities, and Novel Processing Technologies (2025) · cites this paper as [44]

    The Results and Discussion (page unavailable) identify caffeic acid in green dwarf coconut water and report antioxidant activity for caffeic acid tested separately. They suggest that total phenols may contribute to the water’s antioxidant activity, but do not establish caffeic acid’s individual contribution in the water or identify the tested variety as specifically Malayan Green Dwarf. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Santos et al. compared four coconut water varieties and demonstrated their effectiveness in eliminating DPPH and nitric oxide, with the green dwarf variety showing particularly potent activity.

    “Santos et al. [123] compared four coconut water varieties, demonstrating their effectiveness in eliminating DPPH and nitric oxide, with the green dwarf variety showing particularly potent activity.”

    From Nutritional composition and bioactive properties of tropical coconut palm fruit with functional food applications (2025) · cites this paper as [123]

  • In cell culture, green dwarf water protected against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide.

    “In cell culture, green dwarf water protected against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide.”

    From Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review (2015) · cites this paper as [57]

  • Four varieties of coconut (green dwarf, yellow dwarf, red dwarf, and Malaysian yellow) were effective at eliminating DPPH (IC50 73 mL) and nitric oxide (0.1 mL; IP 29.9%) as well as the in vitro production of thiobarbituric acid (1 mL; IP 34.4%).

    “All varieties were effective at eliminating DPPH (50% inhibition concentration (IC50) 73 mL) and nitric oxide (0.1 mL; inhibition percent (IP) 29.9%) as well as the in vitro production of thiobarbituric acid (1 mL; IP 34.4%).”

    From Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review (2015) · cites this paper as [57]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Total phenolics per coconut do not match their concentration

    Minor

    At 99.7 μg/mL, 500 mL contains 49,850 μg, or 49.85 mg, not the reported 39.8 mg. The stated ±50 mL volume range does not account for the difference.

    Reported 39.8 · recomputed 49850

  • HPLC sample concentration differs by a factor of 1,000

    Minor

    The results describe the analyzed lyophilized coconut-water solution as 75 mg/L, whereas the Figure 4 caption describes it as 75 mg/mL.

  • Ascorbic acid per coconut does not match its concentration

    Minor

    At 25.8 μg/mL, a 500 mL coconut contains 12,900 μg, or 12.9 mg, rather than the reported 10 mg. Even the low end of the stated volume range, 450 mL, would contain 11.6 mg.

    Reported 10 · recomputed 12900

  • Abstract and Table I give different green dwarf phenolic concentrations

    Minor

    The abstract reports 99.7 μg/mL of total phenolics for green dwarf coconut water, while Table I reports 99.4 ± 12.4 μg/mL.

4 of 4

The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet

References 37 · Cited by 61

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Soares SE, 2002, Phenolic acids as antioxidants, Rev Nutr, 15, 71

Authors
SANTOS, J. L. A., BISPO, V. S., B.C. FILHO, A., PINTO, I. F. D., DANTAS, L. S., VASCONCELOS, D. F., ABREU, F. F., MELO, D. A., MATOS, I. A., FREITAS, F. P., GOMES, O. F., MEDEIROS, M. H. G., & MATOS, H. R.
Affiliations
  • Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Brasil
  • Universidade Federal de Sergipe (BR)
  • Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brasil
  • Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
ORCID
Venue
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
Publisher
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Published
2013-09-27
Volume
85
Issue
4
Pages
1235-1247
ISSN
0001-3765 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1590/0001-37652013105312
OpenAlex
W2113042854
Semantic Scholar
2c8d1b2935a1b657f5d960f0f244b37d9f25e2f7
Cited by
61
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 1
FWCI
1.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Americanae (AECID Library) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Redalyc (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Coconut Research and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Food Science and Nutritional Studies
Keywords
coconut water, Cocos nucifera, caffeic acid, vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, DPPH radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage, coconut varieties
MeSH terms
Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid, Caffeic Acids, Cells, Cultured, Cocos, Fibroblasts, Humans, Lung, Phenols, Lipid Peroxidation, Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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