The Coconut in a Nutshell

The first clarification that is necessary to be made here is that unlike its name it is not a nut but a fruit and one that is sometimes referred to as the "fruit of life." Why? Numerous research works has been carried out on the fruit and all report nothing but benefits. Every part of the fruit and its tree is beneficial in some way or another.

• Its milk is used in various delicacies and beauty products. 
• Desiccated coconut is used in baking. 
• The mature nut is used to make coconut oil. 
• Its water is used as a plant growth hormone. 
• Even the shell is used to make charcoal, activated carbon and handicraft items. 
• Ropes, coir etc. are made from its fibrous husk. 
• The leaves are used to make paper pulp. 
• The trunk for wood products and roots for dye, twine etc.

The oil derived from it is alone beneficial in so many health issues like:

• Heart problems even though it has saturated fats, they are not harmful plus it contains 50% lauric acid which helps in bringing down cholesterol and blood pressure levels. 
• It helps in weight loss as it is easy to digest and increase metabolic activity. This is proven by the fact that people living in tropical coastal areas who use this oil in their daily cooking are normally not obese. 
• Strengthens the immune system. 
• Since the oil improves the body's ability to absorb minerals it helps in strengthening the bones and teeth. 
• Improves insulin secretion and helps diabetes. 
• Prevents liver and kidney diseases. 
• It is most widely used in beauty products and hair care products because of its moisturizing quality. 
• It has antiviral and antifungal properties thus widely used to treat a lot of hair problems also. The oil is widely used for head massage for its soothing and releasing stress qualities.

The coconut milk is derived from the flesh of the coconut and has been used since ancient times for providing nourishment to hair and also in promoting its growth.

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Polynesian Coconut Fish

The Polynesian culture is more than 900 years old. Its very existence can be attributed to coconuts. The coconut palm is called "the tree of life" for it provides everything that is essential to survival in the South Pacific. In fact, coconut palms are so important that one tree is planted for every newborn. The juice of a young coconut can be used in transfusions, it is so perfect in its composition of electrolytes and nutrients, and it is sterile, pure and refreshing. The roots can be used to treat dysentery, the ribs of the fronds make brooms, the leaves are woven into baskets, the shells are polished for cups and bowls, buttons, and decorations, the wood is now a replacement for hardwoods used in flooring. The hardwood also makes a superior charcoal for filtering and the meat of mature coconuts, known as copra, makes oil and flaked coconut.

In the Tongan islands, the hub of Polynesia, fish is breaded, browned in coconut oil, and then cooked in coconut milk with onions. The local hot-sauce, made of chilies soaked in seawater, is the condiment of choice with this dish. The flavors are fresh, spicy and comforting. This recipe is a leaner, kicked-up version that can be grilled on the barbeque, on a cast-iron grill, or on a George Foreman grill. Halibut, tuna, shark, or swordfish may be used in place of mahi-mahi. Buy the freshest fish available and trim the dark areas before marinating.

Grilled Mahi-Mahi

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. mahi mahi (4 oz per serving) 
• Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper 
• juice of 1 lime, reserve zest for sauce 
• 2 Tbsp olive oil 
• 2 Tbsp minced shallot, reserve 1 Tbsp for sauce 
• 3 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, reserve 1 Tbsp for sauce, remainder for garnish

Method:

1. Salt and pepper fish fillets on both sides. Place on a glass plate. 
2. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl. 
3. Pour ½ the marinade over fish and distribute evenly. Turn and repeat. 
4. Cover and marinate for 30-40 minutes in the refrigerator. 
5. Grill 6 inches from flame for 3 minutes each side, or until it flakes with a fork. 
6. Remove from grill and keep warm. Reserve the juice from the fish for the sauce. 
7. To serve: Make a puddle of sauce on each plate, top with grilled fish, garnish with lime slices and cilantro.

Coconut Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 can (14.5 oz) coconut cream 
• Reserved juice of grilled fish 
• 2 tsp lime zest 
• 1 Tbsp reserved cilantro 
• 1 small red chili, minced (or Tabasco sauce to taste) 
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Method:

1. Pour 1 cup coconut cream into a small sauce pan over medium heat. 
2. Bring to a low boil, lower heat to a simmer and reduce until slightly thickened. 
3. Add juice from fish, lime zest, cilantro, chili, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5-6 minutes. 
4. Taste and adjust seasoning.

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Coconut Trees and All Their Benefits

If you like visiting beach, you will find this familiar beautiful scenery: coconut trees with the wind blows the leaves. What you can enjoy directly when you are there is just the fruit. Who can resist fresh coconut water served in a hot day? But, do you know that all the parts of the trees are beneficial?

Coconut trees might be one of the most beneficial trees in the world. They are an important member of palm family. They grow in tropical areas and are harvested for culinary or non-culinary uses. We all know their functions for culinary uses. Who do not know how coconut milk makes curries delicious? Or can you taste its delicious taste in a glass of pina colada?

For so long, coconut has been considered as a valuable source of both food and medicine. Coconut fruit is called as functional food because it contains high fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These contents provide health benefits, and it is one reason why coconut is used in traditional medical world. People have learned the importance of using it as an effective way to cure illnesses.

The nutrition contained by coconut can treat many health problems, such as fever, colds, flu, cough, bronchitis, asthma, burns, earache, abscesses, dropsy, baldness, bruises, gingivitis, dysentery, irregular or painful menstruation, scurvy, sore throat, constipation, gonorrhea, jaundice, rash, scabies, skin infections, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, swelling, syphilis, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds. Just imagine how you are free from these illnesses only by consuming this delicious fruit!

In modern medical science, coconut is known as beneficial fruit which is able to:

• Kill bacteria that cause throat infections, cause ulcers, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, gum disease and cavities, etc 
• Kill viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, etc 
• Boost energy and endurance 
• Prevent osteoporosis 
• Increase energy 
• Support immune system function 
• Prevent breast, colon, and other cancers. 
• Relieve stress 
• Support the development of bones and teeth 
• Reduce the risk of heart disease 
• Prevent obesity and overweight problems 
• Control dandruff 
• Reduce the risk of diabetes. 
• Prevent liver disease, etc

Not only the fruit is beneficial, but also the other parts of the tree. Below are the functions of the other parts of coconut trees:

HUSKS AND SHELLS - they are a good source of fuel and charcoal. You can also use them for buffing floors. In Indonesia, shells can be used as traditional water dippers. Recently, the shells are formed into buttons and used in traditional clothes, like Batik. They can even create a sound effect of a horse's hoof-beats, so they are used in theater Foley sound effects. The dried half shells create a music effect, as used in Philippines for folk dances.

COIR - this is the fiber from the husk which is usually used in mats, ropes, brushes, caulking boats, and as stuffing fiber. People also use it for making potting compost. In India, coir is used in mattress making. 

Husks and shells

LEAVES - They are traditionally used in basket making and for roofing materials. People usually wove them together to create such forms. The dried ones can be burned to ash. The stiff leaflet midribs are used to make skewers and arrows, and the bundled ones can be brooms and brushes. In Kerala India, the mid-rib of the leaves is used as a tongue-cleaner.

TRUNKS - They are used for building small bridges for their straightness, strength, and salt resistance. Hawaiians use them to form drums, containers, and even small canoes.

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Activated Charcoal for Industrial and Commercial Uses

Activated charcoal is a substance that demonstrates excellent adsorption properties. It is an odorless adsorbent that is used in a myriad of applications ranging from industrial purification to treating flatulence and indigestion. This particular adsorbent has a very large internal surface are owing to a finely intricate network of pores. Gases or chemicals get trapped in the elaborate network, and this process is known as adsorption. Owing to this quality, it can be used for treating industrial waste, removing moisture or other vapors from the environment, removing odor, and for purifying liquids of different types.

Industrial and commercial applications

This substance is also known as activated carbon. Some of the most common applications of this substance include purification of water and air. It could be made from different types of organic materials such as wood, coconut shells, coal and so on. This adsorbent is available in several different forms such as powder, granules, sheets, and pellets.

Here are some common industrial applications in which activated charcoal is used:

Air and water purification: This adsorbent can effectively get rid of pollutants from air as well as water. It is used for purification of groundwater, as well as drinking water. A number of commercial and industrial water purification applications make use of this adsorbent.

Purification of gases: Since this substance can effectively remove different types of gases and vapors from the air, it is used for purifying compressed gases and air. It effectively removes oil vapors and a variety of odors from a given environment. Particles of activated charcoal are embedded in the fiber or filter media that are used in manufacturing gas masks.

Food and beverage industry: The food and beverage industry relies on this adsorbent for purifying and clarifying various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is also used for controlling moisture levels and odor in various food products. It is a non-toxic substance hence it does not pose any health hazard even if accidentally ingested.

Re-generating the adsorbent

It is possible to make use of activated carbon to the optimum level as it can be re-generated. Re-generation refers to a process wherein the adsorbent is exposed to high temperature to free it of the adsorbed contaminants. At the end of the re-generation process, the adsorbent is ready for re-use. This makes the substance very cost-effective as it can be used several times before it is finally disposed of. There are a number of ways in which this substance can be re-generated. These include thermal treatment, microbial regeneration, wet air oxidation, electrochemical regeneration etc.

The amount of activated charcoal that you would need to use depends on the desired level of adsorption, the total volume of the container, the type of material to be purified and a few other factors.

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Activated Charcoal and Its Significance Across Industries

A particular form of carbon that has been specially treated to render it an extremely porous quality with a large surface area is known as activated charcoal. The large surface area makes this form of carbon suitable for adsorption as well as chemical reactions. Typically, it is derived from charcoal. However, there are certain other materials such as coconut shell from which it has been lately derived.

From the chemical industry to the medical sector to the transportation line, this material finds uses in a multitude of applications. In this article, we shall take a quick look at the various applications of activated charcoal. 

Metal finishing: This material finds wide ranging uses in electroplating and metal purification processes. Owing to its adsorption properties, activated carbon shows satisfactory results in removing organic impurities from various metal plating solutions to help achieve the desired plating performance.

Environmental sector: This material has been effectively used in spill cleanups, air and water purification, ground water treatment and other similar operations. Small scale as well as large scale water filtration systems immensely benefit from the use of such treated carbon.

Medical sector: In the early 19th century, activated carbon was sold as a cure for flatulence or irritable bowel syndrome. Besides, it is also considered to be an effective agent in preventing the absorption of poison in the human body as it binds to the toxin. Similarly, it has been used for absorbing harmful drugs from the body of patients who have suffered from poisoning.

Vodka and whiskey purification: Since the clarity of alcohol is directly associated with its consumer appeal, filtration and purification is an important aspect in this industry. Activated carbon helps remove impurities without affecting the body and flavor of these drinks. It leads to enhanced organic purity.

Odor and moisture removal: Activated carbon is also known to absorb moisture from its immediate atmosphere hence it is widely used in applications that require low-humidity conditions. In addition, it is also used for absorbing odor in refrigeration systems and other similar places.

Consumer products: Products like gas masks also make use of activated charcoal to help the user stay safe when dealing with harmful gases and chemicals.

Food and beverage industry: Applications such as glycerin purification, decolorization (especially of sugar), purification of edible oil, decolorization and deodorization of juices etc rely on the use of activated carbon.

While these are just a few industries that benefit from the use of activated charcoal, there are myriad of other industries and applications where it is widely used. The best part about this material is that it can also be regenerated and re-used once its adsorptive capacity is restored.

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Learn the Process of Activated Charcoal and Their Implementation in Industries

A form of carbon that has undergone extensive treatments to provide a highly porous quality consisting of large surface area is technically termed as activated charcoal. It is because of the large surface area this form of carbon becomes suitable for adsorption and other chemical reactions. The overall processing involves either chemical activation or physical reactivation making it an extremely porous element.

Activated charcoal products or better known as active carbon is processed from various materials like petroleum pitch, peat, wood, lignite, coal, coir, and nutshells. However, according to some recent derivations, materials like coconut shells are also responsible for producing active carbon. This adsorbent is formed under superior adsorption process and thus, it can be used in several industrial sectors for wide purposes. It is mainly used in purification and filtration purposes, and also in the medical field as an antidote to poison.

For several years, activated carbon has been popular for its various forms such as pellets, granules and powders. All these products have their own characteristics and versatile uses in different industries. Let us look into those details in the further paragraphs to come.

Process of Activated Charcoal

The chemical Activated charcoal converts into an activated adsorbent when steam and acid react together at extremely high temperatures. Due to this oxidative process, the charcoal's internal surface gets eroded in turn increasing the adsorption capacity. This entire process is carried out by creating an internal network of minuscule pores which are three times more effective as compared to regular charcoal.

These adsorbents are quite effective and powerful in nature. If you consider one standard 50-gram dose of active carbon, its overall surface area would approx up to 10 football fields. Hence, their benefits are vivid in a multitude of applications ranging from chemical industry to transportation line to medical sector.

Applications that Benefit from Activated Carbon

This is an odorless adsorbent that exhibits excellent adsorption properties. Owning to its quality it has several uses. So let us take a look below.

· Water, Air and Environmental Purification:It acts as the best purifying agent to get rid of pollutants and contamination present in air or water. It effectively purifies the drinking water and groundwater. It is also used for making breathing masks.

· Chemical Sector and Metal Finishing: Used as catalysts in various chemical reactions, and as an efficient agent for recovery of precious metals like gold. Used in removal of organic impurities from metal plating solutions to achieve optimum electroplating and metal purification processes.

· Health-Related and Medical Sector: Used in treating flatulence and indigestion problems. It is the best antidote to a person who is poisoned because of animal or insect bites. Pharmaceuticals and emergency departments at hospitals use it in the form of oral medicine.

Considering all the above varied applications and information, it is very easy to understand why active carbon has high demand across various industrial verticals.

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Coconut Candy - How to Prepare and Other Uses of the Coconut Plant

This article is a step by step description of how to make Coconut Candy. They are various kinds of coconut candies but we are emphasizing on the kind made specifically in Nigeria. This candy itself is easy to make, just that it involves a little more work to grate the coconut meat into little pieces.

Ingredients:

1 head fresh coconut with the juice

200 g of icing sugar

Water

Preparation

Break open the coconut

Collect the coconut juice

Remove the meat from the shell

Grate the meat into small pieces( make sure you grate along the coconut meat and not across it, so as to get long thin coconut pieces rather than a mass of grated coconut.)

Directions

Pour the coconut juice in a pot.

Add icing sugar and stir

Add the grated coconut pieces and stir

Add water of the same quantity as the coconut juice to the mixture.

Cover the pot and let it boil at high heat.

Once its boiling, continuously still till water is almost evaporated.

Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring.

Keep stirring till the coconut pieces turn slightly brown.

Turn off heat and scoop the hot coconut candy to a flat plate and leave to cool.

You can serve as dessert or snack once it is cold.

Things to watch out for

The candy should be sticky and not dry when cold.

You can store it in a refrigerator for up to a month

It is a sweet snack that's why we have sugar in the preparation, but you can reduce the sugar content according to your taste.

Better to clean the pot as soon as you scoop off the candy, because the caramel from the sugar can be very tough to clean off the pot once it cools.

Other uses of the Coconut Plant

Exocarp or Fibrous husk: When it is soaked in salt water, its fibers are separated to produce coir. Coir is commonly used material in creating ropes, mats, and coarse clothes.

Endocarp: This is also used as a material in different handicrafts. In cooking, its shells are used in producing charcoal and creating dishes and kitchen utensils

Endosperm or Coconut meat: The meat or nut is a good source of protein and acts as a natural laxative. The meat has many uses like animal feeds, flower, desiccated, milk, chips, copra, candies, latik, salad, and other sweet delicacies

Liquid Endosperm or Coconut water: The water inside the young fruit is the purest and most health benefitting water. It provides proper hydration of the body, natural cleansing of the kidney, and balances the electrolytes in the body.

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