Abstract

Some positive health benefits have currently been attributed to coconut intake. An attempt has been made to determine the fatty acids and phytochemical contents of coconut seed flesh collected from the different parts of Nigeria. The fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography while phytochemical content was detected using the polar and non polar solvents. The findings revealed that samples from eastern Nigeria had highest fatty acids (caprylic: 8.60±0.00%; lauric: 41.30±0.14%; palmitic: 13.00±0.14%, and stearic: 3.6±0.07%) contents. The fats and oil constituent of coconut was more of lauric acid (37.40-41.30%), a medium chain fatty acid considered to be responsible for the many health benefits attributed to coconut consumption.Both solvents used in determination of phytochemicals revealed the presence of alkaloid, resins, glycosides, terpenoids and tannins in all the Nigerian coconut samples. However, saponin was found present in coconut when polar solvent was used while flavonoids, steroids and acidic compounds were absent with the use of both polar and non polar solvents. The detected phytochemical and beneficial fatty acids revealed that Nigerian coconut seed flesh should be regarded as one of the functional foods in our diets. Thus, the use of coconut seed flesh in our diets should be encouraged for health supporting functions.

Key words: Coconut, fatty acids, phytochemicals, functional foods.