Once we consider round agro-processing, we think about producing value-added merchandise from agricultural produce devoid of waste.
And there’s one thing magical about changing waste into worth…
It generates new incomes and creates new potentialities.
And to this finish, the coconut is outstanding.
Let’s take a deepdive into the world of coconuts.
COCONUTS
Most of us have loved savoury coconut sauces in our meals.
A few of us have used coconut oil for cooking or for magnificence functions.
However the coconut is greater than only a nut.
It’s a phenomenon ready to be unleashed and rediscovered in its entirety.
Coconuts maintain a lot wealth inside themselves that we solely handle to scratch the floor.
As an example, Kenya is a internet importer of coconut oil, but solely a small fraction of the coconut crop is transformed to grease.
Coconut oil may very well be extracted utilizing varied strategies.
The commonest one is heating the coconut milk till it separates into curds, oil, and water.
However nothing beats the chilly press technique of extracting coconut oil.
It entails fermenting coconut milk for a day or two earlier than scooping off the curd/oil combination for oil extraction.
Chilly pressed coconut oil is often known as additional virgin coconut oil, which incorporates all of the pure fatty acids and antioxidants required for wholesome dwelling.
Of key significance is lauric acid, which has some antimicrobial properties.
Chilly pressed coconut oil fetches a great value making it some of the wanted pure oil for cooking and cosmetics.
But it surely doesn’t cease there.
When coconut oil is mixed with different pure oils like tallow, it produces a strong cleaning soap bar with an awesome foam.
Welcome to the world of cleaning soap making.
Coconut oil soaps are nice with many varieties of skins and is also seasoned with herbs because of their delicate odor.
Coconut oil is also mixed with olive oil for hair care and different associated merchandise.
However whilst we extract coconut oil, the coconut flesh is also dried up and pulverised additional into coconut flour.
Coconut flour could be very helpful in culinary purposes like baking and cooking dishes like rice.
Coconut milk might even have its shelf life prolonged by storage in air tight containers for utilization over time.
It is also transformed into powder for simple utilization in cooking.
However we even have coconut water which we might drink or convert into one thing of larger worth.
COCONUT VINEGAR
When chilled coconut water streams by our throats, we really feel quenched.
However when it’s transformed into coconut vinegar, now we have a concoction of excellent microbes that aren’t solely good for our intestine however helps in blood sugar management and filled with vitamins.
Changing coconut water into vinegar entails persistence.
The coconut water is allowed to sit down for a few week when lined with a dress.
This converts a few of it into alcohol utilizing pure occurring sure.
A bit yeast may very well be added for this step to spice up conversion.
After this episode, a little bit of vinegar may very well be added to kick-start additional chemical conversion of the alcohol into vinegar.
Thais might take a while however finally, coconut vinegar is the end result.
Now keep in mind that our intention is to have zero waste from the coconut.
So what can we do with the shells.
ACTOVATED CARBON
Coconut shells are a number of the most pure occuring carbon- dense supplies round.
So what if we reap the benefits of this by manufacturing of activated carbon through pyrolysis?
Pyrolysis is the publicity of natural substances to very excessive temperatures, above 400°C within the absence of oxygen.
This produces a charcoal-like substance known as biochar which might bear an additional “activation” step.
Activation entails utilizing brokers like steam or chemical substances like caustic potash to “punch” holes into the carbon materials.
Activated carbon is extraordinarily porous carbon with a really excessive floor space as a result of pores.
Now, coconut shell carbon is exclusive as a result of it’s extensively used on this planet of water filtration.
Coconut shell water filters are identified to focus on widespread water pollution like fluoride, metals, odours and risky organics.
However now we have not even talked in regards to the coconut husks.
Coconut husks are fibres derived from the removing of the outer protecting earlier than uncovering the seed – which is what we name coconut.
These fibres have been used for various purposes like making rugs and mats.
Nonetheless, upon shaking them, the fibres launch small fibre particulates which may very well be collected and utilized in agriculture.
That is the realm of cocopeat or coco coir.
Cocopeat is a superb potting materials used to develop seedlings and indoor crops.
It has simply the precise consistency and water retention capability coupled with nice aeration obligatory for crop growth.
Infact, fairly numerous farm provide retailers inventory cocopeat on the market to farmers doing agroponics, greenhouse farming and seedlings.
IN CONCLUSION
The coconut is a magical agricultural produce.
Our journey in the direction of having fun with its full advantages has simply began.
But it surely wants not cease with coconut oil and milk.
It wants to maneuver in the direction of changing coconut waste into worth.
That’s what the round economic system is all about.
