Coconut TestaA Valuable By-Product of Coconut Oil Industry

摘要

The brown skin covering the coconut kernel is testa, mainly a by-product obtained from coconut processing industries. During the preparation of desiccated coconut, coconut milk, and virgin coconut oil, the testa is removed by paring the dry/wet coconut as it imparts a brown color to the oil and a dull appearance to other products. As the coconut matures, the thickness of the testa increases and gives brown color to the bottom layer of the kernel. Testa earlier was usually used as animal feed, and rawmaterial for the production of bio-diesel. In contrast, nowadays, it is used in bakery products as a substitute for wheat flour and feed. It is found that coconut testa flour substitution of up to 30 was acceptable without affecting the overall quality of cookies. The use of 5 coconut testa in fish feed showed that the growth rate of the red tilapia breed was effective.