Proximate composition and mineral bioavailability of desiccated coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) varieties in Bicol Region, Philippines

The Philippines is one of the major producers of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in the world. In this study, desiccated coconut (DCN) from seven varieties in the Bicol region were compared in terms of their proximate composition and mineral bioavailability. The AOAC INTERNATIONAL method was used for proximate analysis; mineral and trace metal content were quantified using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MPAES); and mineral bioavailability was determined in vitro by simulating human digestion. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, and carbohydrates of DCN ranged from 2.55–3.47%, 0.95– 1.25%, 2.28–6.74%, 18.18–35.78%, and 54.21–71.50%, respectively. The highest amount of protein was found in Catigan Dwarf [CATD] (6.74%); Tambolilid Dwarf [TAMD] (35.78%) had the fattest content, while the hybrid variety Tacunan Dwarf [TACD] × Tagnanan Tall [TAGT] (71.50%) was an excellent source of carbohydrates. These indicated that DCN from the CATD and TAMD varieties have the most abundant values in terms of proximate composition. The mineral bioavailability varies for Zn (5.34– 9.81%), Cu (25.75– 51.27%), Mn (12.84–40.07%), Mg (33.06–75.93%), Ca (9.28– 22.01%) and Fe (5.41–16.31%). The present study shows that variety affects the nutritional and mineral bioavailability of DCN, and that DCN can be a source of bioavailable nutrients necessary for human nutrition.