KASARGOD: The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) here has developed machineries for manufacturing virgin coconut oil (VCO) and also its standardisation process.Addressing mediapersons at the Press Club here CPCRI director Dr George Thomas said the virgin coconut oil is extracted directly from the fresh coconut kernels without having to make copra. No chemical refining, bleaching or deodorising is done, thereby it maintains the natural aroma and nutrients present in coconut, he said.The VCO, is unique among all the other vegetable oils because of its high lauric acid content, tocopherol content, and antioxidant properties. The lauric acid is used by the body to make the same disease fighting fatty acid derivative monolaurin that babies make from the lauric acid they get from mother’s milk. Monolaurin is reported to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti protozoa properties.Dr George Thomas said the CPCRI developed the technology for VCO production by hot-process and fermentation method.Hot process method for producing VCO involves extraction of coconut milk and controlled heating of the extracted milk in a specially designed cooker, the VCO cooker. Fermentation method comprises of two stages viz: extraction of coconut milk and fermentation of the milk to produce VCO. The machineries developed by the CPCRI Kasaragod for the production of VCO includs testa remover, grating machine, hydraulic milk extractor, VCO cooker and fermentation unit. Together these machineries would cost `10 lakh for hot processing and Rs. 7 lakh for fermentation methods. Other than the machineries it requires another seven lakh as working capital and other over head charges. The unit can provide job for seven women and can process 500 coconuts per day. This would yield 20 litres of VCO.The production cost of VCO would be around Rs. 300 per litre. The CPCRI will be giving training for interested parties.
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