Coconut-Based Nutrition and Nutraceutical Perspectives

S.V. Ramesh is presently serving ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICARCPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, India, as a Senior Scientist (Biotechnology). His field of specialization is plant biochemistry and molecular biology having obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees in plant biochemistry. His current research focus includes nutritional biochemistry and bioactives of nutraceutical potential in plantation crops. He is a recipient of DBT-CTEP, DST-ITS Travel Awards and AABSc-sponsored Young Plant Biotechnologist Award. His postdoctoral research in the field of plant and viral small non-coding RNAs at Washington State University, USA, was sponsored under DBT-CREST Fellowship. He has published many scholarly articles—spread over diverse fields, viz., plantation biology, nutrition biochemistry and plant–virus interactions—in journals of international and national repute and presented his research findings in several international scientific fora. He also features in the editorial boards of international journals PLOS ONE, Measurement: Food and Journal of Plantation Crops.Shelly Praveen has an illustrious career in research, teaching, program management, and research policy development at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India. Dr. Praveen’s contributions as a Head of the Division of Biochemistry at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, and Director of the Centre for Advanced Faculty Training are immense. She bolstered the industry-academia synergy and launched a portfolio of developing millet-based fortified foods. Earlier, Dr. Praveen led a multidisciplinary team in the development of virus-resistant transgenic tomato and collaborated with international academia including Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain; King Saud University; Scottish Crop Research Institute; CIB, CSIC, Spain; and CREC, Florida, USA. Dr. Praveen has been honored with coveted Awards and Fellowships including Fellow of NASI, Fellow of NAAS, Associate of The World Academy of Sciences, and Panjabrao Deshmukh Outstanding Woman Scientist Award, ICAR. Currently, she is engaged in nutrition for health management through service in nutritionally important foods across globe.

• Chapter 1. Coconut- (Kalpavriksha-Tree of life).- Chapter 2. Bio-nutritional constituents of coconut and its by-products.- Chapter 3. Metabolic fate and bioavailability of coconut nutrients.- Chapter 4. Coconut kernel and milk.- Chapter 5. Coconut water: tender nut water and mature nut water.- Chapter 6. Coconut protein powder.- Chapter 7. Coconut oil and Virgin Coconut oil: A functional food.- Chapter 8. Coconut inflorescence sap (neera): a vital health drink.- Chapter 9. Coconut Sugar: nutritive potential and prospects.- Chapter 10. Coconut based food products: Repertoire and biochemical features.- Chapter 11. Coconut: a powerhouse of nutraceuticals.- Chapter 12. Food Safety and Quality assurance: a coconut perspective.- Chapter 13. Policy issues and trade potential: a global outlook.- Chapter 14. Future perspectives.