Comparison of Powdered Active Compounds Made from Tender Coconut Water Fortified with Vitamin E, Processed by Spray Drying and Freeze Drying

Background: Tender coconut water contains antioxidants vitamin C, amino acids, L-arginine, polyphenols, selenium, and minerals that prevent oxidative stress, anemia, and inflammation. It also lowers lipid profiles, increases enzyme antioxidant status, and controls lipid peroxidation. Previous investigations have shown that tender coconut water provides health benefits but is difficult to store. This is due to its short shelf life, which can be extended by drying to obtain a dry or powdered form. A special drying method to acquire dry materials and maintain the characteristics of the raw materials is spray or freeze drying. Objective: This study aims to develop tender coconut water into a powder fortified with vitamin E and to differentiate the active compound content of the powder processed by spray and freeze drying. Method: This study used a randomized block design and the sample used was green tender coconut water (Viridis variety) aged about 5-7 months from the Bogor area. The procedures include the purchase of tender coconut water, followed by spray and freeze drying, while the content of active compounds that are beneficial to health was also analyzed. Drying was carried out at the Seafast Center Laboratory of Research and Community Service Institute, Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), while the active compound content was analyzed at the Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta. Result: The active compounds analyzed from powder made from tender coconut water fortified with vitamin E were vitamin C, phenol, L-Arginine, L-Histidine, L-Lycine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine, L-Valine, and minerals consisting of Cu (Copper), Fe (Iron), Mg (Magnesium), Zn (Zinc), Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), and P (Phosphor). Conclusion: There are differences in the content of active compounds in tender coconut water powder fortified with vitamin E between freeze and spray-drying methods.