Optimization of Viscozyme-L assisted extraction of coconut milk and Virgin Coconut Oil.

The present work aimed to optimize the extraction of milk and oil from coconut by an aqueous enzymatic extraction process using the enzyme Viscozyme-L. The combine effect of grinding time (2-4min), amount of Viscozyme-L (60-180FBGU) and incubation time (2-7h), were optimized using Response Surface Methodology. The selected method provides the best yield of coconut milk (73.88±0.5%, w/w) and Virgin Coconut Oil (21.57±0.4%, w/w) with percentage recovery of oil was 86.14% of fat present in the fresh coconut kernel at grinding time (3min), the amount of enzyme (120FBGU) and incubation time (4.5h). The experimental results were significantly (P