Coconut Plant Research Articles

Identification of ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) from Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl., a posssible active compound

The level of toxicity of aqueous extract from Ganoderma sp. fruiting body isolated from different plant media was determined in this experiment using Brine shrimp lethality test (BST) on Artemia salina Leach. The influence of media on the toxicity level of aqueous extract from Ganoderma sp. fruiting body was determined in this experiment. Ganoderma sp. and G. Lucidum were grown on three flamboyant, ( Delonix regia Bojer ex Hook Rafin), sengon ( Paraserianthes falcataria (L) Nielsen) and coconut( Cocos nucifera Linn.) plant media. The aqueous extracts were prepared from fruiting body using 0.02 M phosphate buffer pH 7.2. The toxicity level of these aqueous extract were then screened using the BST method. The level of the toxicity was determined by LC50. The results indicated that the aqueous extracts of Ganoderma sp. and G . lucidum isolated from flamboyant, sengon and coconut plant media were influenced by plant media. Ganoderma sp. was isolated from flamboyant plant media possesed the highest toxicity (LC50 480 g aqueous extract/ml), then followed by Ganoderma sp. isolated from sengon plant media (LC50 770 g aqueous extract /ml) and coconut (LC50 1040 g aqueous extract /ml). G. lucidum from coconut plant media possesed the highest toxicity (LC50 660 g aqueous extract /ml), followed by G. lucidum were isolated from sengon plant media (LC50 1100 g aqueous extract /ml) and flamboyant (LC50 1970 g aqueous extract /ml). It was suggested that G.lucidum having highest toxicity might produce compounds having antitumor activity. Key words: Ganoderma sp., aqueous extracts, toxicity .

Trace elements in coconut water?a preliminary study

Trace element analysis for five elements namely, Ba, Sr, Mn, Cr and Cd was carried out on both ash weight and dry weight basis for mine water and coconut water from Mangampeta barite area. The concentration of trace elements is strikingly different in the coconut water when compared with that of mine water. The coconut plant has the ability to control the presence of certain inorganic elements in its water, whatever be the amount of those elements present in irrigation water. Further, biogeochemical studies of coconut water may be of considerable importance in balneology.

High performance liquid chromatography as an analytical tool for the determination of sulfate in coconut and caffeine in tea

The need for a rapid method for detecting sulphate sulphur in coconut and caffeine in manufactured tea initiated a study to compare high performance liquid chromatography with classical methods. We compare the methods in their applicability in rapid and selective analysis of coconut water, plant tissues, and soil, as well as of caffeine in tea samples from different regions. We present a statistical correlation between the methods and discuss the significance of our results.

Whole body counting results from 1974 to 1979 for Bikini Island residents.

Three body burden measurements of the Bikini Island population were conducted from 1974 to 1978 at Bikini Island. During this time, the mean 137Cs body burden of the adult Bikini population increased by a factor of 20. This dramatic elevation of the body burden appears to be solely attributable to increased availability of locally grown food products, specifically coconuts and coconut plant products. In January 1979, 45% of the individuals that were whole body counted in April 1978 were recounted approx. 145 days after the Bikini Island population departed from Bikini Atoll. These results show that the adult population 137Cs body burden decreased by a factor of 2.9 between the April 1978 and January 1979 in vivo measurements.