Phenolic antioxidants in coconut oil: Factors affecting the quantity and quality. A review

Abstract

The total phenol content (TPC) in coconut oil varies with extraction method, variety, nature of coconut kernel components and geographical origin. Commonly reported TPCs of coconut oils extracted by dry methods and wet methods are in the range of 70-300 mg/kg and 250-650 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the commonly reported data, the TPC of coconut oil varies by up to 527 mg/kg oil, 180 mg/kg oil, and 172 mg/kg oil due to the influence of the extraction method, coconut variety and the nature of kernel components, respectively. The identity of the phenolic compounds also varies with the extraction method. Caffeic acid, catechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and syringic acid are present in different quantities in coconut oil when extracted by all methods. However, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, epigallocatechin, gallic acid, vanillic and epicatechin are present only in some coconut oils. Many free phenolic compounds present in olive oil are also present in coconut oil.