Wet extraction of coconut oil from coconut milk (emulsion obtained
by pressing scraped coconut kernel) is used to extract highquality
coconut oil under cold and hot conditions. In the cold
extraction method, coconut milk is chilled to about 10 C and the
solidified lipid layer is separated. This method is used to extract
virgin coconut oil (VCO). In the hot extraction method, coconut
milk is heated and the water is evaporated from the emulsion.
The remaining coconut oil can be siphoned out or separated by
decantation. To extract coconut oil by this method, the coconut
milk emulsion is heated to 100–120 C. Common methods of oil
extraction include pressing of dried seed kernels and solvent
extraction. The extraction of oils from the emulsions of seed lipids
under cold and hot conditions is less common for the extraction of
vegetable oils and more usual for the extraction of coconut oil.
The phenolic substances are mainly responsible for the antioxidant
properties of olive oil (Baldioli, Servili, Perretti, & Montedoro,
1996). Phenolic content of olive oil varies with the method of
extraction. Solvent-extracted oils contain more phenolic substances
than virgin oils (Gutfinger, 1981).
Both positive and negative health effects of coconut oil have
been reported. Formation of some pro mutagenic DNA adducts is
reported to be lower in rats fed with a coconut oil supplemented