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Coconut Sugar: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile; Health Impacts; Safety and Quality Control; Food Industry Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Ariana Saraiva

    (Department of Animal Pathology and Production, Bromatology and Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña s/n, 35413 Arucas, Spain)

  • Conrado Carrascosa

    (Department of Animal Pathology and Production, Bromatology and Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña s/n, 35413 Arucas, Spain)

  • Fernando Ramos

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
    Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Rua D. Manuel II, Apartado 55142, 4051-401 Porto, Portugal)

  • Dele Raheem

    (Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law (NIEM), Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland)

  • Maria Lopes

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
    Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Rua D. Manuel II, Apartado 55142, 4051-401 Porto, Portugal)

  • António Raposo

    (CBIOS (Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies), Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Consumers often wish to substitute refined sugar with alternative sweeteners, such as coconut sugar, given growing interest in healthy eating and the public’s negative perception of excess sugar intake. Coconut sugar is a healthier, sweetener option than the majority of other sugars that are commercially available. Sap is collected from trees to be transported, stored, and evaporated during processing, which are labor- and resource-intensive operations. Consequently, the cost of production is higher than it is for cane sugar. Given its high nutritional value and low glycemic index, people are willing to pay higher prices for it. However, one barrier is ignorance of its health benefits. This review examines and deals in-depth with the most significant features of coconut sugar chemical analyses to focus on several analytical methodologies given the increasing demand for naturally derived sweeteners in the last 10 years. A deeper understanding of the quality control, safety, health effects, nutritional profile, and sustainability issues corresponding to coconut sugar is necessary to effectively implement them in the food industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Ariana Saraiva & Conrado Carrascosa & Fernando Ramos & Dele Raheem & Maria Lopes & António Raposo, 2023. "Coconut Sugar: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile; Health Impacts; Safety and Quality Control; Food Industry Applications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-33, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3671-:d:1073310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ariana Saraiva & Conrado Carrascosa & Dele Raheem & Fernando Ramos & António Raposo, 2020. "Natural Sweeteners: The Relevance of Food Naturalness for Consumers, Food Security Aspects, Sustainability and Health Impacts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-22, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabrícia Vieira & Hortência E. P. Santana & Meirielly Jesus & Joana Santos & Preciosa Pires & Manuela Vaz-Velho & Daniel Pereira Silva & Denise Santos Ruzene, 2024. "Coconut Waste: Discovering Sustainable Approaches to Advance a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-25, April.

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