Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 28 No 5 (2024): 1087 - 1101

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL-BASED EMULSION AND ITS BENEFITS:

A REVIEW

(Emulsi Berasaskan Minyak Kelapa Dara dan Kebaikannya: Satu Tinjauan)

Muhammad Afif Syazani Rozani¹, Hairul Amani Abdul Hamid^1*, Nursyamsyila Mat Hadzir¹,

Muhammad Alif Mohammad Latif², and Ayub Md Som^3,4

¹School of Chemistry & Environment, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

³School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

⁴Industrial Process Reliability and Sustainability Research Group (INPRES), College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

^*Corresponding author: h.amani@uitm.edu.my

Received: 21 October 2023; Accepted: 14 August 2024; Published: 27 October 2024

Abstract

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of emulsions using virgin coconut oil (VCO) as the hydrophobic fat component. It focuses on the primary triglycerides in VCO, which convert into bioactive medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) with diverse pharmacological properties. VCO's importance extends to aiding viral and microbial infections, leveraging its polyphenolic content as a potent antioxidant, and supporting weight reduction and metabolic improvements associated with obesity. Derived from Cocos nucifera L., VCO is a crucial plant-based oil predominantly produced in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia; regions where coconuts are in abundance. Despite VCO's extensive benefits, anti-saturated-fat bias has limited its exposure and acknowledgment in medical literature. This review addresses this gap, highlighting VCO-based emulsion applications and advantages for consumers and industries globally. By examining VCO's properties and its significant contributions to pharmaceuticals, the study aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of VCO-based emulsions. The findings underscore the need for broader recognition of VCO's potential, particularly in combating infections, acting as an antioxidant, and promoting health benefits linked to weight management and metabolic health. This review serves as a foundational reference for future research and development in utilizing VCO within pharmaceutical and health-related contexts.

Keywords: virgin coconut oil, viral, antioxidant, polyphenolic, metabolic

Abstrak

Kajian tinjauan ini berhasrat untuk memberikan gambaran keseluruhan tentang emulsi yang menggunakan minyak kelapa dara (VCO) bertindak sebagai komponen lemak hidrofobik. Kajian ini memfokus kepada komponen trigliserida utama dalam VCO yang ditukar menjadi bioaktif trigliserida rantaian sederhana (MCT) dengan pelbagai sifat farmakologi. Peripentingnya VCO menjangkaui dalam rawatan jangkitan virus dan mikrob, dan berpotensi digunakan sebagai enzim antioksidan kerana kandungan polifenolnya. Ia juga membantu dalam pengurangan berat badan dan penambahbaikan penunjuk metabolik yang berkaitan dengan obesiti. VCO ialah minyak yang dihasilkan daripada tumbuhan Cocos nucifera L., yang merupakan salah satu tumbuhan terpenting di dunia yang boleh didapati di Filipina, Malaysia, dan Indonesia, iaitu negara-negara yang kaya dengan kelapa. Walaupun banyak kelebihan VCO dilaporkan secara meluas, namun prasangka anti-lemak-tepu semasa telah membataskan penularan dan penerimaannya dalam bidang perubatan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk merapatkan jurang tersebut dengan memberi pencerahan mengenai aplikasi emulsi berasaskan VCO, faedahnya kepada pengguna serta industri di seluruh dunia. Dengan menjalankan penyelidikan mengenai sifat-sifat semulajadi VCO dan sumbangan pentingnya kepada industri farmaseutikal, kajian ini dapat merangsang kefahaman dan penghargaan yang lebih baik tentang emulsi berasaskan VCO. Penemuan dalam kajian ini diharapkan dapat memberi pengiktirafan meluas mengenai potensi VCO terutamanya berperanan sebagai antioksidan dalam mencegah jangkitan penyakit, dan mempromosi pelbagai khasiat yang merujuk kepada pengurusan berat badan serta kesihatan metabolik. Ia juga boleh menjadi satu rujukan asas untuk penyelidikan serta pembangunan dalam penggunaan VCO pada masa hadapan bagi sektor industri farmaseutikal dan kesihatan.

Kata kunci: minyak kelapa dara, virus, antioksidan, polifenolik, metabolik

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