Fermented Coconut Water Beverage

BRIEF TECHNOLOGY

Fermented coconut water beverage was produced from matured coconut water fermented using symbiotic colony of acetic acid bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). 

INSPIRATION OF THE INVENTION

Matured coconut water is considered as a by-product of the coconut milk processing industry. The use of matured coconut water is limited, due to the undesirable organoleptic properties and appearance of it. However, discarding the matured coconut water is a huge economic waste, as it has good nutritional profile and potential to be converted into other form of beverage. 

PROBLEM STATEMENT & CURRENT ISSUES

• Matured coconut water, although with its nutritional benefits, are usually discarded due to the undesirable organoleptic properties and appearance. 
• In the coconut milk manufacturing facilities, tonnes of matured coconut water are discarded daily, which causes environmental hazard, or it incur cost to the industry to treat the mature coconut water before being released into the environment.

INVENTIVENESS  & NOVELTY

• This technology converts the undesirable and usually discarded matured coconut water into a fermented beverage with improved taste, consumers’ acceptance and enhanced health benefits.
• The product falls into green technology and sustainability theme, as it produces high value functional beverage from industry by-products.

USEFULNESS & APPLICATION

The fermentation technology improves the consumers’ acceptability and health benefits of matured coconut water, thus increasing the value of the product. 

IMPACT OF THE PRODUCT

The key highlight of this product is the conversion of industrial by-products into a functional beverage with health benefits. It reduces waste while increasing the value of the product and contributes towards the revenue of the industry and country. This technology also contribute towards diversifying coconut-based products which in turn, allowing industry to have wider product portfolio, while consumers can enjoy more choices of healthy beverage. 

MARKET POTENTIAL 

• Coconut milk manufacturer (which produces matured coconut water as industrial by-products)
• Product is targeted to health-conscious consumers 

TRL :  6