Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
acids found in many other cooking oils. It has become a major dietary supplement with many ben-
eficial properties. VCO has the following constituents:
•
Lauric acid, medium-chain triglycerides, and other saturated fatty acids, including capric, caprylic,
myristic, and palmitic acids
•
Monounsaturated fatty acids: oleic acid
•
Polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid
•
Polyphenols, gallic acid, and phenolic acids
•
Derivatives of fatty acid: betaines, ethanolamide, ethoxylates, fatty esters, fatty polysorbates, mono-
glycerides, and polyol esters
•
Fatty chlorides, fatty alcohol sulfate, and fatty alcohol ether sulfate, all of which are derivatives of
fatty alcohols
•
Vitamin and minerals: vitamins E and K, iron
Advocates of VCO as a dietary supplement claim health benefits on the following: immun-
emodulation, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol
levels, weight loss, bone strength, proper digestion and metabolism, heart diseases, dental care,
HIV, and relief from kidney problems. It is believed that these health benefits of VCO can be
attributed to the presence of the medium-chain fatty acids and phenolic compounds, with their
known antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties,
for example.
tender Coconut Water
Tender coconut water (TCW), the liquid endosperm, is an excellent natural refreshing drink, with
a caloric value of 17.4/100 g. Coconut water contains vitamin B, namely, nicotinic acid B
3
(0.64 µg/
ml), pantothenic acid B
5
(0.52 µg/ml), biotin (0.02 µg/ml), riboflavin B
2
(<0.01 µg/ml), folic acid
(0.003 µg/ml), and trace amounts of thiamine B
1
and pyridoxine B
6
. Coconut water also contains
sugars; sugar alcohols; vitamin C; folic acid; free amino acids; phytohormones (auxin, 1,3-diphe-
nylurea, cytokinin); enzymes (acid phosphatase, CAT, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase, RNA
polymerases); and growth-promoting factors.
451
COLA ACUMINATA
Botanical Name —
Cola acuminata
(P. Beauv.) Schott & Endl.
Synonyms —
Cola pseudo-acuminata
Engl.,
Sterculia acuminata
P. Beauv.,
Cola grandiflora
Schott & Endl.,
Cola ledermannii
Engl. & K. Krause.,
Cola macrocarpa
Schott & Endl.,
Bichea
acuminata
(P.Beauv.) Farw.,
Bichea solitaria
Stokes.,
Bichea sulcata
Pierreex A.Chev.,
Braxipis
grandiflora
Raf.,
Braxipis nitida
Raf.,
Clompanus longifolia
Kuntze.,
Colaria acuminata
Raf.,
Edwardia acuminata
(P.Beauv.) Kuntze.,
Edwardia lurida
Raf.,
Sterculia laxiflora
Rusby
Family —
Malvaceae
Common Names and African Names
are similar in most cases: Bini: evbe; Efik: ibong; Igbo:
oji-awusa; Yoruba: obi abata
Description —
Resembles
C. nitida,
but the leaves are usually smaller. The fruits are composed
of up to 5 carpels borne at right angles to the stalk or slightly drooping; they are narrowed to the
straight apex, 20 cm long and 7 cm wide, and produce up to 14 seeds covered with white skin, usu-
ally bearing 3-5 cotyledons (rarely 2 or 6).
Uses, Constituents, and Pharmacology
are as in
C. nitida.
