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In spite o f being a nutrient and electrolyte rich fluid, coconut w ater r considered m ostly as a
waste in Sri Lanka. A cute diarrheal diseases arc one o f the leading causes o f m ortality in
infants and young children in malty developing countries which can be easily prevented by
introduction o f an electrolyte l icit lehydration fluid. T he m ajo r objective o f this research was
to analyze the feasibility o f using cbctU.ul w ater as a rehydration Iluid. F o u r areas from which
coconuts enter in to a random l) selected market were selected for sample collection
Coconuts in three maturity states Were considered from each area. Several rehydration
biochemical properties were analyzed fbJ end , sample. Glucose content w as analyzed using
glucose oxidase-peroxidase method, Modiiun, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium contents
were analysed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS). Chloride content
was determined using an Ion Selective Electrode. Osmolality of the samples was analysed
using an Advanced Micro freezing point dt sessio n Osmometer. Anti-oxidant contents were
analyzed using DPP11 method Each property was compared with W HO standards for the
Production o f new Oral Rehydration 'iait':. Potassiuln content and the Osmolality o f all the
samples were higher than (he WHO standard levels and all the other properties were below
the accepted levels. However samples contained considerable amounts o f Calcium,
agnesium and Antioxidants. Mased oil this pilot study it can be concluded that only minimal
supplementation is required towards development of an oral rehydration solution using
coconut water. Further studies are ongoing aiming at ultimate value addition as well as waste
management.
