Abstract

Vidanapathirana Piyumi Malsha*, Jayantha Wijayabandara, Gayathri Silva, Walisinghe Pathirana

ABSTRACT

The absence of hypersensitivity reactions during intravenous administration oftender coconut water due to the presence of proteins and the absence ofhyperkalaemia symptoms due to high potassium concentration were investigated. Italso covered many physicochemical properties of tender coconut water of fivedifferent coconut varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Samples were analysed for metalions, glucose, protein, pH, conductivity and sterility. The molecular weight ofproteins was determined by the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide GelElectrophoresis method. The lowering of plasma potassium concentration by 6-9times following intravenous infusion of coconut water was determinedmathematically. The King Coconut exhibited higher levels of metal ions ([K+] =51.76±3.58 mmol/L, [Mg2+] = 5.27±0.74 mmol/L, [Ca2+] = 12.56±0.05 mmol/L)and glucose (221.581±1.096 mg/dL). Protein concentration of all varieties was lowat 0.02% – 0.08% and consisted of low molecular weight peptides, 1 kDa to 13kDa. The pH across all five varieties ranged from 4 to 7. All samples were found tobe sterile. Low concentration of proteins and their low molecular weights less than10kDa are insufficient to qualify them as antigens. Further, the presence ofhyperkalaemia antidotes calcium, magnesium and glucose may be the reason for theabsence of hyperkalaemia reactions. The study eliminates two parameters that led toreluctance by healthcare personnel in the clinical use of tender coconut water forintravenous infusion therapy.