Nata-de-coco

Introduction

Bacterial cellulose produced by Acetobacter xylinum at the air liquid interface of coconut water is known as Nata-de-coco. A.xylinum uses the nutrients in the coconut water medium, forms a thin slimy, transparent layer of cellulose on the surface of the medium which thickers with age forming a thick whitish sheet . after 15-20 days. This sheet is cut into cubes, washed and boiled in water before cooking in sugar syrup. The process for production of Natade-coco has been standardized and conditions optimised. This unconventional product based on coconut water has immense potential because of the increasing awareness of the health benefits of fiber-rich products and the possibility of using a cheap, commonly wasted by product of the coconut industry to make a commercially value added product with export potential.

For further information please contact :

Defence Food Research Laboratory
Ministry of Defence,
Mysore - 570011