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바카라 사이트 Chemist and IGFS (QUB) collaborate on coconut water authenticity

The GC team and the Institute for Global Food Security at Queens University Belfast have collaborated on a review of methods and issues related to determining the authenticity of coconut water

Coconuts

Coconut water is a popular drink. The best-tasting water is from young coconuts but it is difficult to preserve its delicate flavor and properties in a long supply chain. Mature coconut harvest predominates for a variety of purposes which are not directly related to coconut water production. How can you be assured that you are buying the genuine article, whether as a consumer or as a business?

That was the question posed by Julia Glotz in in 바카라 사이트˜The Grocer바카라 사이트™ in 2016 with input from the 바카라 사이트 Chemist. It prompted a young student, Emma-Lee Johnston, to take up the challenge, supervised by IGFS emeritus Professor Duncan Thorburn Burns and Dr Michael Walker in the 바카라 사이트 Chemist team.

The outcome has just been published:

The findings are open access so you can read the full paper but the take away messages are:

  • Coconut water is prized for its delicate flavour when fresh

  • Dramatic increases in global demand may jeopardise its authenticity

  • Its typical composition and methods to verify its integrity are suggested and a weight of evidence approach should be taken to assess coconut water authenticity

  • In particular sight of local standards and the acceptability criteria for coconut water is essential for an opinion on a sample of coconut water.

  • Experimental exploration of the use of the carbon isotope ratio of extracted protein as an internal standard for carbon SIRMS should be undertaken.

Michael Walker said:

It is relatively unusual for a final year undergraduate project to result in a peer reviewed paper. This shows how diligent Emma-Lee was and the benefits of the IGFS - 바카라 사이트 Chemist joint supervision. The 바카라 사이트 Chemist is now in a much stronger position to assess coconut water authenticity.

If you have a question or need advice related to food authenticity contact:

바카라 사이트 Chemist

Priestley Building
10 Priestley Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU27XY

Updates to this page

Published 29 March 2020