Role of Coconut (Cocus nucifera) Protein in Human Nutrition

Abstract

The Net Protein Utilization (NPU) and Net Dietary Protein Calories per cent (NDpCal%) using growing rats have been determined for rice, rice plus coconut protein and rice-coconut protein mixture supplemented with amino acids and kidney bean respectively. The addition of 3 parts of coconut protein to 17 parts of rice was found to increase the NDpCal% of rice from 5-6 to 8-4, and this compares well with the value of 8-7 obtained for human breast milk. Supplementation of the rice-coconut protein diet with amino acids or kidney bean indicates that lysine is probably the first limiting amino acid in coconut protein. The possible use of the rice-coconut protein mixture in Nigeria and other tropical and subtropical countries to improve the nutrition and health of infants and growing children is discussed.