Indonesia is the world’s largest coconut producer (according to the Food and Agriculture Organization – FAO). Indonesia can produce 18.04 million tons of coconut annually. However, only a small portion of this production is utilized and consumed by the Indonesian population. Hence, the Indonesian government is emphasizing the need to expand the coconut business opportunities in Indonesia, from upstream to downstream, to maximize the utilization of coconuts.
Coconut is a tropical fruit that provides refreshment and energy to those who consume. Its sweet and refreshing taste makes it highly popular. Besides being consumed as food, coconuts are also used as raw materials in various industries.
Every part of the coconut, from the trunk and leaves to the fruit, can be transformed, and processed into products that have positive uses in human existence. Normally, the stem and leaves are converted into a variety of daily common implements. The fruit from the husk to the flesh, can be processed into useful products such as planting media and raw materials for industry. Meanwhile, the fruit can be used to produce copra, virgin coconut oil (VCO), nata de coco, coco chips, and other items. Apart from its role as a refreshing drink, coconut water can also undergo processing to produce sugar.
By digging deeper into the nutritional content of coconuts, researches have started exploring the potential pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses of these nutrients. One of the coconut-derived nutritional sources for pharmaceutical purposes is virgin coconut oil (VCO). VCO is believed to help prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, improve digestion, enhance the immune system, prevent HIV and SARS infections, and has antioxidant, anti-virus, antiprotozoal, and antibacterial properties (Wibowo, 2006; Ruku, 2007).
Considering the multitude of products that can be derived from a single coconut tree, it can be said that the coconut tree is highly beneficial for both human life and the environment.
Source(s):
1. Ruku, S. 2007. Teknologi Pengolahan Minyak Kelapa Murni. Balai Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian (BPTP) Sulawesi Tenggara, Kendari.
2. Wibowo, S. 2006. Manfaat Virgin Coconut Oil untuk Kesehatan. Prosiding Konferensi Nasional Kelapa VI. Gorontalo, 16-18 Mei 2006.