Detection of major phenolic acids from dried mesocarpic husk of mature coconut by thin layer chromatography

Abstract

This is a report of extraction and identification of phenolic acids present in the dried mesocarpic husks of mature coconut fruit. The total phenolic content of the husk material was 13.0 mg/g dry wt. 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) and ferulic acid contents were identified and analysed in the husk fractions extracted by mild alkali hydrolysis (with 0.1 M NaOH). Detection of ether-linked phenolic acids (by treatment with 2 M NaOH) yielded 2.2 mg/g dry wt. of 4-HBA and 0.1 mg/g dry wt. of ferulic acid. Our results demonstrate that mesocarpic husk materials can form an alternative source of 4-HBA.