The Coconut Palm (Cocos Nucifera)

Book excerpt: The coconut tree has an immense impact not only as a food source, but for various non-food applications as well. These include shelter, medicinal use, and preparation of value-added products. They are a valued plantation around the globe, particularly along the coast lines. Islanders are the true appreciators of this bioresource, who derive most of their requirements from coconuts. The coconut meat (kernel), water, oil, leaves all have a use. Accordingly, there are many aspects of coconuts that pertain to production cultivation and use, which are diverse. Biotechnological intervention in coconut plant cultivation includes aspects of genetic improvement of strains, in vitro propagation, rhizopher management, and coconut plant irrigation aspects. A well-planned cultivation strategy should provide opportunity to improve breed quality and production throughput. Agro-processing of coconut products is also important so that the fruits of the plant are made best use of. Sufficient knowledge of the coconut plant and its products would also provide opportunities to the local community. Importance also resides in coconut constituents, such as coconut proteins, oil, and water. Coconut products also include haustorium, inflorescence, and derived products such as coconut palm sugar (a value-added product) as well as numerous nutraceuticals. These nutritional supplements can greatly circumvent dietary deficiencies and provide salutary gains. Coconut oil also has significant medical importance besides being a cooking oil, and could be considered for dermal care, both as a cosmetic and a medical aid. In modern times, coconut could be considered as an effective source of holistic nutrients to alleviate malnutrition and disease. In fact, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of medium chain triglycerides, and lauric acid (coconut being second-richest natural source of lauric acid after breast milk). These nutrients have a significant impact in many ways. There are also numerous non-food applications of coconuts that warrant attention. In fact, coconut-based nanomaterials are a very useful source for many sectors. Coconuts are also relevant in bioremediation and in waste disposal and management. Coconuts could even be a boon in restoring fecundity of cultivable land. These aspects highlight numerous possibilities with coconuts, not only as source of food and for non-food uses, but also in environmental management. In the present time, with mounting biological/chemical waste being created, such a utility is much welcome. This book encompasses these various themes under dedicated chapters that provide readers a holistic understanding of the possibilities that exist with coconuts. These chapters should provide an insight on various important topics of interest and encourage cross-dimensional interdisciplinary research on coconuts. Possibilities with various lesser-known usage of products and cultivation techniques could also be envisaged and explored in the near future.