Comparative analysis of cold-pressed and hot-pressed coconut oil extraction: Implications for quality and antioxidant capacity

Coconut oil, a natural oil widely utilized in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors, is significantly influenced by varieties and processing techniques. This study compared cold-pressed and hot-pressed extraction methods for coconut oil from four coconut varieties, evaluating their physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity. The results revealed that cold-pressed coconut oil exhibited superior control over parameters such as acid value, peroxide value, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters, along with enhanced antioxidant capacity. Lauric acid, the predominant fatty acid in coconut oil, ranged from 47.68% to 50.08% in these oils. A significant negative correlation was observed between lauric acid and peroxide value/MCPD/PAHs, while a positive association existed between phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Principal component analysis identified cold-pressed coconut oil from the W4 coconut variety as exhibiting the highest quality, characterized by lower acid value, MCPD and PAHs levels, higher lauric acid content, and potent antioxidant capacity. This study highlights the advantages of cold-pressed coconut oil, particularly from the W4 coconut variety, for superior quality across various parameters, offering valuable insights for the production and processing of coconut oil. These findings contribute to the advancement and application of high-quality coconut oil products in the industry.