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CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MEAT (KERNEL) AND NUT WATER OF MAJOR COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA L.)  CULTIVARS AT COASTAL AREA OF PAKISTAN

ABDUL HAMEED SOLANGI¹ AND M. ZAFAR IQBAL²

Abstract: Three varieties of the coconut (Tall, Dwarf and Hybrid) were subjected to analyse for physicochemical properties of meat and nut water, Sodium (Na), Moisture %, Ash %, Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Cobalt (Co), Potassium (K), pH, Volatile matters, Caloric value (CV) and Total dissolved solids (TDS). The chemical analysis of Meat (mature & immature stage) showed high percentage of Mg and Na in study varieties. However, it was apparent that major portion of stored Ca, Mg, and Na were lodged in the nut water. The nutrients Na, K and Ca were high or less evenly distributed in the Kernel and Water, whereas there was nutrient a comparatively greater concentration of P and Mg in the Water. The K (56% to 81%) was higher in nut water as compared to other ones. The results showed Mg 45% to 70% and Na 1% to 53% in mature and immature meat, respectively.

¹Coastal Agricultural Research Station, SARC, PARC, Karachi, Pakistan

²Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi- 75270, Pakistan