Cocos nucifera fruit extract is a product obtained from the fruits of the plant of the same name Cocos nucifera L. that grows in tropical and subtropical regions and belongs to the family of Arecaceae subfamily Cocoideae.  This plant is commonly known as the coconut palm, produces a clear liquid inside its fruits called coconut water. Not to be confused with coconut milk, which is derived from the grated meat of the mature coconut, coconut water is the juice found in the center of a young, green coconut. It's a popular beverage in many tropical countries and has gained worldwide popularity in recent years for its refreshing taste and perceived health benefits.

Name breakdown and function of the components

• Cocos nucifera - This is the scientific name for the coconut plant, a tropical fruit tree known for its nutritious fruits and refreshing coconut water.
• Fruit - Refers to the fruit of the coconut tree.
• Extract - Indicates that the product is a concentrated extract of a particular substance, in this case, the coconut fruit.

Description and function of the raw materials used in production

• Cocos nucifera fruit - The coconut contains fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for the skin.

Summary of the extraction process step by step

• Harvesting - Mature coconuts are harvested from the trees.
• Separation - The coconut meat and water are separated from the hard outer shell.
• Crushing - The coconut meat is crushed to break down its cell walls.
• Extraction - Heat or a solvent is applied to extract beneficial compounds from the crushed coconut meat.
• Purification - The extract is purified to remove impurities or residual solvents.

What it is used for and where

Cocos nucifera fruit extract is widely used in cosmetics and skincare products for its moisturizing, nourishing, and antioxidant properties.

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS       8001-31-8

EC number   232-282-8

Commercial applications

Cosmetic and Skincare Products: Due to its hydrating and nourishing properties, it's incorporated into creams, lotions, and other skincare items.

Hair Products: Used in shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments to soften and nourish.

Culinary: Coconut extract can be used as an ingredient in many recipes to add flavor and texture.

Food Products: Employed as a sweetener or as a base in processed food items.

Properties

Hydrating: Helps to moisturize and soften the skin.

Nourishing: Rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that nourish the skin and hair.

Antioxidant: Contains vitamins and minerals that offer protection against free radical damage.

It's essential to note that while coconut-based products offer numerous benefits, some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to them. Always perform a patch test when trying out a new product, and if consuming or using it for health reasons, consulting a healthcare professional is advised.

Medical

Phytochemical analysis (1) of Cocos Nucifera showed interesting components such as caffeic acid and ascorbic acid with antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity.

The ethanol extract at 1.5% of the coconut husk has shown an antibacterial action against dental biofilm and can be used as an irrigation solution to overcome bacterial resistance with synthetic agents (2).

Some components of green dwarf coconut water, mainly caffeic acid and ascorbic acid, have demonstrated antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity and reduce DNA damage, thus reducing oxidative stress induced by ethanol metabolism in steatosis and alcoholic steatohepatitis (3).

Coconut water has been used as an intravenous solution in surgery (4).

This study believes that the fiber extract from the lemon peel acts, in certain amounts, on the central nervous system. The resulting anxiolytic and antidepressant effect is related by interaction with the serotonergic system (5).

The most relevant studies have been selected to explore this in more depth:

Coconut studies

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention.  DebMandal M, Mandal S.  Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Mar;4(3):241-7. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60078-3.

(2) Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility and cytotoxicity of husk extract of Cocos nucifera and chlorhexidine as irrigating solutions against Enterococcus Faecalis, Prevotella Intermedia and Porphyromonas Gingivalis - An in-vitro study.  Kohli D, Hugar SM, Bhat KG, Shah PP, Mundada MV, Badakar CM.  J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2018 Apr-Jun;36(2):142-150. doi: 10.4103/JISPPD.JISPPD_1176_17

(3) Reduction of the DNA damages, Hepatoprotective Effect and Antioxidant Potential of the Coconut Water, ascorbic and Caffeic Acids in Oxidative Stress Mediated by Ethanol.  Bispo VS, Dantas LS, Chaves AB Filho, Pinto IFD, Silva RPD, Otsuka FAM, Santos RB, Santos AC, Trindade DJ, Matos HR.  An Acad Bras Cienc. 2017 Apr-Jun;89(2):1095-1109. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160581.

(4) Intravenous coconut water therapy in surgical practice.  Olurin EO, Durowoju JE.  West Afr Med J Niger Med Dent Pract. 1972 Oct;21(5):124-31.

(5) Involvement of monoaminergic systems in anxiolytic and antidepressive activities of the standardized extract of Cocos nucifera L.  Lima EBC, de Sousa CNS, Meneses LN, E Silva Pereira YF, Matos NCB, de Freitas RB, Lima NBC, Patrocínio MCA, Leal LKAM, Viana GSB, Vasconcelos SMM.  J Nat Med. 2017 Jan;71(1):227-237. doi: 10.1007/s11418-016-1053-6.