Abstract Coconut mesocarp fiber (CMF) is a by-product of the coconut industry; it was milled to produce coconut mesocarp particles (CMP). The main elements identified in CMP samples were C and O, which represent 96.75%. The CMP were mixed with a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix by extrusion. The mechanical, thermal, structural, and morphological properties of four biocomposites with 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt% CMP (CMP0, CMP2, CMP5, and CMP8, respectively) were determined. The biocomposites showed a decrease in tensile strength, elongation at break, and elastic modulus values as the CMP content increased, except for CMP5, which showed a higher elastic modulus than the PLA matrix. The thermal analysis showed that the biocomposites presented better thermal stability than the PLA matrix. CMP2 and CMP5 had rough surfaces, while CMP8 had weaker fracture zones. CMF (CMF byproduct product industry CMP. . (CMP) O 9675 96 75 96.75% (PLA extrusion mechanical structural 0 2 5 wt CMP0, CMP0 (CMP0 respectively determined strength break increased surfaces zones (CMP 967 9 7 96.75 96.7 96.

Abstract Coconut pulp and coconut oil are valued for their health effects, these properties are attributed to bioactive compounds, such as lauric, myristic and palmitic acid mainly, phenolic compounds and vitamin E. The concentration of these compounds depends on the cultivar, the conditions biotic and abiotic of the growing area. In this study, the effect of the cultivar and producing areas was determined on the physicochemical characteristics (weight, endosperm thickness, pH, total soluble solids, humidity), and bioactive compounds in coconut and its oil. Physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds such as total phenols, (-tocopherol and the fatty acid profile were analyzed; in the cultivars harvested in the state of Guerrero (Alto Pacífico-saladita, Enano Verde, and Híbrido) and in Yucatán (Alto Pacífico-2 and Enano Verde). The analyzed physicochemical properties and the bioactive compounds are different depending on the cultivar and the cultivation region. The cultivar Enano Verde from Yucatán is superior in the content of phenolic compounds (767.44 mg gallic acid / 100 g), while Alto Pacífico-Saladita in α-tocopherol (151.03 µg/100 g). The type of cultivar could be directly influencing the physicochemical characteristics and the bioactive compounds studied.

Resumen La pulpa y aceite de coco son valorados por los efectos sobre la salud, estas propiedades son atribuidas a compuestos bioactivos, como el ácido láurico, mirístico y palmítico principalmente, compuestos fenólicos y vitamina E. La concentración de estos compuestos depende del cultivar, las condiciones bióticas y abióticas de la zona de cultivo. En este estudio se determinó el efecto del cultivar y zonas productoras, sobre las características fisicoquímicas (peso, espesor del endospermo, pH, sólidos solubles totales, humedad) y compuestos bioactivos en el coco y su aceite. Se analizaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas y los compuestos bioactivos como fenoles totales, (-tocoferol y el perfil de ácidos grasos; en los cultivares cosechados en el estado de Guerrero (Alto Pacífico-saladita, Enano Verde, e Híbrido) y en Yucatán (Alto Pacífico-2 y Enano Verde). Las propiedades fisicoquímicas y los compuestos bioactivos analizados, son diferentes dependiendo del cultivar y la región de cultivo. El cultivar Enano Verde de Yucatán, es superior en el contenido de compuestos fenólicos (767.44 mg ácido gálico/100 g), mientras que Alto Pacífico-Saladita en α-tocoferol (151.03 µg/100 g). El tipo de cultivar podría estar influyendo directamente en las características fisicoquímicas y los compuestos bioactivos estudiados.