Value Addition in Coconut Water

Abstract

AbstractHealth-conscious people, all over the world, focus their attention toward fitness and have shifted their preference from caffeinated and sugar-based energy drinks towards natural alternatives. Coconut water is one of the universally accepted/appealing natural beverages for proper health and metabolism due to the presence of naturally occurring bioactive enzymes. Fresh coconut water is ideally consumed as a refreshing soft drink. However, many value added products could be made using coconut water. Coconut water is considered as an energy drink since it could provide an isotonic electrolyte balance when consumed. It is also being promoted as a natural sports drink, which can be consumed before, during, or after a workout to provide optimal replenishment and rehydration applicable for all levels of activity. Many research results are available on the potential/favourable use of coconut water in plant and animal biotechnology. Mature coconut water has been extensively used as raw materials in the preparation of Nata de coco and vinegar, which offer many benefits. Coconut water can also be used in production of various innovative value-added products such as lassi (tender coconut beverage), honey and coconut spread from mature water concentrate, soufflé, yoghurt, sugar, exopolysaccharides, docosahexaenoic acid, probiotics, coconut water kefir, Gama- aminobutyric acid, bacterial cellulose, carbon dots, mannosylerythritol lipids, dihydropyrimidinone etc. This chapter amply elaborates the potential and possibility of using coconut water in the production of array of high value products.