COCOBESTIE: HAIR BENEFITS FROM Cocos nucifera OIL PDF

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University of Santo Tomas College of Education COCOBESTIE: HAIR BENEFITS FROM Cocos nucifera OIL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN HPHL SCI (HISTORY AND PHILOSPHY OF SCIENCE) TE, CLARISSA J. 4BSM BSE - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE MAJOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2014 - 2015 NOVEMBER 21 2014 COCOBESTIE: HAIR B...

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University of Santo Tomas College of Education

COCOBESTIE: HAIR BENEFITS FROM Cocos nucifera OIL

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN HPHL SCI (HISTORY AND PHILOSPHY OF SCIENCE)

TE, CLARISSA J. 4BSM BSE - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE MAJOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2014 - 2015

NOVEMBER 21 2014

COCOBESTIE: HAIR BENEFITS FROM Cocos nucifera OIL Clarissa J. Te Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Biological Sciences University of Santo Tomas España, Manila

INTRODUCTION The Coconut plant has been considered as the tree of life not only by many scientists but also by the ordinary people who used this plant to cater their needs. Cocos nucifera or usually known as Coconut tree is commonly found throughout the tropic and sub tropic area and has been utilized for thousands of years because of its wide array of functions and is continuously being used and studied in the present times to further know what are the other possible functions it can still perform. Because of the many roles this plant played in the lives of people, it becomes interwoven into the culture of many local community. Coconut tree is inevitably one of the most important plants in the low islands in the Pacific area because of its many capabilities coming from its different parts. Coconuts doesn’t only take part in the daily diets and culinary ingredients of many people but it can also function as a raw materials for other coconut-based products. Coconuts are different from any other plants because almost all of its part

can be processed and used. The clear liquid coconut water within is potable. When the coconut is dried, its flesh called copra can be processed to produce oil, the hard shell can be a charcoal and the fibrous husk can be a coir or rope. The coconut husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. The coconut oil and coconut milk are also widely used in soaps, shampoo and other beauty products like hair conditioners and treatment. (Chan, 2006) The Coconut plant doesn’t only satisfy the common necessities of man but it has been also known to provide wide array of health benefits. The health benefits of coconuts include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance and weight loss. It can also the boost immune system, aids in proper digestion and regulate metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer, while helping to improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities. (organicfacts.net, 2014) Many people living in coastal areas of the world, more specifically in the areas like the Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, and parts of the Caribbean where coconuts grow in abundance, know

that the coconut plant has a lot of potentials and is very much adaptive in different kinds of industry. As one of the world's largest producer of coconuts, the production of coconuts in the Philippines plays an important role in the economy. (FAOSTAT data, 2014) Coconuts in the Philippines are usually used in making main dishes, refreshments and desserts. The sap derived from incising the flower clusters of the coconut is drunk as neera, also known as toddy or tuba which is also a popular drink in the country. When left to ferment on its own, it becomes palm wine and this alcoholic drink is called lambanog or "coconut vodka". The stiff midribs of coconut leaves are used for making brooms in the Philippines called walis tingting. The green of the leaves (lamina) are stripped away, leaving the veins (wood-like, thin, long strips) which are tied together to form a broom or brush. Another product of the coconut is the coconut oil which is commonly used in cooking, especially for frying. It can be used in liquid form as would other vegetable oils, or in solid form as would butter or lard. The coconut oil is also used in the cosmetic industry like moisturizers and body butters, due to its chemical structure, is readily absorbed by the skin. The coconut shell may also be ground down and added to products for exfoliation of dead skin. Coconuts are used in the beauty because coconut is also a good source of lauric acid, which can be processed in a particular way to produce sodium lauryl sulfate, a detergent used in

shower gels and shampoos. The nature of lauric acid as a fatty acid makes it particularly effective for creating detergents and surfactants. (Shilhavy, 2012) A lot of coconuts (Cocos nucifera) are being harvested every year thus, it is a convincing reason to promote the usage of local product here in the Philippines and provide an alternative option for hair treatments that is affordable and can be made readily at home. Also, the product can be deemed important to anyone who wants apply the effectiveness and efficiency of the coconut oil’s health benefits through conditioners and treatments for hair. In line with it, this paper aims to describe the boiling process of extracting the coconut oil naturally from the coconut. It also intends to utilize the coconut oil extract in the development of a hair conditioner and hair treatment and at the same time characterizing the coconut oil’s beneficial properties through its composition. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera) is found throughout the tropics. It is particularly important in the low islands of the Pacific where, in the absence of land-based natural resources, it provides almost all the necessities of life: food, drink, oil, medicine, fiber, timber, thatch, mats, fuel, and domestic utensils. Coconuts' versatility is noted in its naming that in Sanskrit, it is called as kalpa vriksha which means "the tree which provides all the necessities of life" and in the Malay language, it is called as pokok seribu guna which means "the tree of a thousand uses"). The coconut palm is grown for decoration, as well as for its many culinary and non-culinary uses

and every part of the coconut plant can be used by humans in some manner and has significant economic value. For this good reason, it has been called the “tree of heaven” and “tree of life”. (Chan, 2006) The spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word which is derived from 16thcentury Portuguese and Spanish coco, meaning "head" or "skull", from the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the family Arecaceae (palm family). The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not a nut. Like the other fruits, it has three layers: the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. The exocarp and mesocarp make up the "husk" of the coconut. The mesocarp is composed of a fiber, called coir, which has many traditional and commercial uses. The shell has three germination pores (stoma) or "eyes" that are clearly visible on its outside surface once the husk is removed. Cocos nucifera is a large palm, growing up to 30 m (98 ft) tall, with pinnate leaves 4–6 m (13–20 ft) long, and pinnae 60–90 cm long; old leaves break away cleanly, leaving the trunk smooth. (Chan, 2006) Kingdom:

Plantae

Order:

Arecales

Family:

Arecaceae

Subfamily:

Arecoideae

Genus:

Cocos

Species:

Nucifera

Table 1. Cocos nucifera

Unlike some other plants, the palm tree has neither a tap root nor root hairs, but has a fibrous root system. The coconut palm root system consists of an abundance of thin roots that grow outward from the plant near the surface. Only a few of the roots penetrate deep into the soil for stability. The type of root system is known as fibrous or adventitious, and is a characteristic of grass species. Coconut palms continue to produce roots from the base of the stem throughout its life. (Chan, 2006) As one of the most useful plants, coconut provides numerous products commonly used in households. However, coconut oil usage is not limited to the various kinds of food and salads. It is can also be used in the preparation of cosmetic products for the skin but as well as for the hair. Perhaps the most common product in Asia is coconut oil which is extracted from the coconut milk that was a freshly grated endosperm of the mature fruit. (Chan, 2006) Coconut oil is a very popular and frequently preferred hair oil worldwide due to its components that keep the hair strong, nourished and protected from the effects of premature aging, like baldness and excessive hair loss. (Coconut Oil for Hair, 2014) Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). Coconut oil is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals which are good for the human body that is why, it was also being utilized in the medicine industry. The health benefits of coconut oil are massive and is considered as one of the most diverse natural product in terms of its healing properties and health-promoting qualities. Coconut oil is just as beneficial externally as it is internally based from its abilities that are rooted from it properties. These properties of coconut oil can be classified to physical and chemical. According

to the article entitled “Coconut Oil Properties and Daily Dosage”, coconut oil is colorless at or above 30o C and it is white when in its solid form. The typical smell of Coconut oil is that of coconuts (if not refined, bleached, and deodorized) and has a density of 924.27 kg/m3. The coconut oil melts at 25o C (76o Fahrenheit) and it becomes solid when below this temperature range. The coconut oil forms a white homogenous mixture when beaten well in a little water but otherwise, it is insoluble in water at room temperature. As mentioned by Shilhavy, B. (2012), the coconut oil is predominantly composed of saturated fatty acids (about 94%), with a good percentage (above 62%) of Medium Chain Fatty Acids among them. The table showing the types of fatty acid is displayed below.

Name of fatty acid

Percentage

Remarks

Type of fat

Lauric acid

45% to 52%

Medium chain fatty

Saturated fat

acid Myristic acid

16% to 21%

Medium chain fatty

Saturated fat

acid Caprylic acid

5% to 10%

Medium chain fatty

Saturated fat

acid Capric acid

4% to 8%

Medium chain fatty

Saturated fat

acid Caproic acid

0.5% to 1%

Medium chain fatty

Saturated fat

acid Palmitic acid

7% to 10%

Saturated fat

Oleic acid

5% to 8%

Unsaturated fat

Palmitoleic acid

In traces

Saturated fat

Linoleic acid

1% to 3%

Unsaturated fat

Linolenic acid

Up to 0.2%

Unsaturated fat

Stearic acid

2% to 4%

Saturated fat

Among the chief constituents, coconut oil also has Vitamin E which keeps the hair & skin healthy, along with keeping your organic system functioning smoothly, as is done by all vitamins. Coconut also has saturated fats along with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is also good to note that the proportion of various fatty acids, vitamins, moisture and other nutrients may vary with the quality of coconuts, the method of extraction, the presence of heat, as well as pre-processing and post-processing.

Coconut oil is a very unique hair oil. This versatile, low molecular weight oil is able to leverage its traditional oil status to seal the hair, but complements this sealing capacity with a strong affinity for hair proteins not found in other hair oils. Coconut oil benefits black hair in two important ways. First, coconut oil's hydrophobic oil characteristics allow it to inhibit the penetration of water from the surrounding air and environment. Second, coconut oil is able to bind to the natural protein structure of the hair. This helps the hair retain its natural moisture content and reinforces the hair fiber, making it stronger. (Rele, 2013)

Studies have been conducted on how effective various oils are on treating damaged hair. Another study compared mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil because these were the three

most commonly used oils in hair treatment products used in India. The aim of this study was to cover different treatments, and the effect of these treatments on various hair types using these three oils, and the number of experiments to be conducted was a very high number and a technique termed as the "Taguchi Design of Experimentation" was used. The findings clearly indicate the strong impact that coconut oil application has to hair as compared to application of both sunflower and mineral oils.

Among three oils, coconut oil was the only oil found to reduce the protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product. Both sunflower and mineral oils do not help at all in reducing the protein loss from hair. This difference in results could arise from the composition of each of these oils. Coconut oil, being a triglyceride of lauric acid (principal fatty acid), has a high affinity for hair proteins and, because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, is able to penetrate inside the hair shaft. Mineral oil, being a hydrocarbon, has no affinity for proteins and therefore is not able to penetrate and yield better results. In the case of sunflower oil, although it is a triglyceride of linoleic acid, because of its bulky structure due to the presence of double bonds, it does not penetrate the fiber, consequently resulting in no favorable impact on protein loss. (Rele, 2013)

Listed below are the healthy benefits of coconut oil in hairs:

Hair Damage/Loss:

The use of coconut oil on hair helps to reduce protein loss in both damaged as well as undamaged hair. Coconut oil rich in lauric acid, has a high affinity for hair protein, and easily

penetrates inside the hair shaft, which is due to its low molecular weight. It can be used for prewash or post-wash hair grooming.

Cooling Properties:

The application of coconut oil on the head and scalp also has a cooling effect.

Moisture Retention:

Coconut oil has a high moisture retaining capacity, since it is not easily broken down nor evaporated, being very stable. It does not let moisture escape, thus keeping hair moist and soft, which prevents breakage of hair.

Anti-Dandruff:

The various fatty acids present in coconut oil serve as very good anti-dandruff agents and are far better than any anti-dandruff shampoo. Regular application of coconut oil can help you get rid of dandruff forever. Coconut oil mixed with lukewarm water and castor oil can also be effective in treating dandruff.

Hair Care for Dry Hair:

For people with dry hair that is rough and thin, taking good care of your hair is a big concern. However, using strong hair care products for cleansing, toning and conditioning may lead to a dry and flaky scalp. Coconut oil can be effective in taking care of this sort of dry hair. With the various benefits such as hair nourishment, anti-aging properties, moisture retention, and

vitamin E supplementation, coconut oil in shampoo is one of the best things to aid in the health of your hair.

The Oily Factor:

Detergent or soap-based shampoos leave your hair dry, rough, hard and bleached. That is why you occasionally find that your comb does not go smoothly through your hair after you shampooed it. The oil in shampoo counters this effect. In coconut oil, that component comes from natural saturated fats, and they keep the hair smooth and shiny.

Styling:

Coconut oil can be a good styling oil for hair as well, as it melts on heating and then condenses when cooled. Therefore, when you apply it on your hair, it thins and spreads evenly due to the heat of the scalp. Soon afterwards, as the hair comes in contact with air, the oil on the hair condenses, thus working as a styling gel or cream.

METHODOLOGY Materials In this study, the necessary materials were set in order to perform oil extraction from the coconut fruit and to make an easy homemade hair conditioner and treatment. The four (4) bigsized coconut fruits were grated and bought in a wet and dry market. The other ingredients used to make the conditioner and treatment were purchased in a grocery store. The basic ingredients that were prepared for the hair treatment includes one (1) 250 mL olive oil, and one (1) 470 mL real mayonnaise.

The procedure also required the use of other materials that can be found in the kitchen specifically, a large pan with medium-depth, a medium-sized strainer, a medium-sized bowl, beater, teaspoon, and measuring cups to create the homemade conditioner and treatment. A 250 mL empty container can also be purchased in a store if there’s no available container. Coconut Oil Extraction The Boiling Method was used to extract the coconut oil from the coconut through its milk. The homemade coconut oil is a bit time consuming that it takes less than two (2) hours with few steps only. The first step is to pour all the coconut milk over a large pan of medium depth and place it on the stove over medium high heat. Cover the pan and allow it to boil for twenty (20) minutes. Then uncover the pan and stir the milk constantly for a minute. Cover the pan and boil it for five (5) minutes then stir again for a minute. When the milk starts to thicken and separate into liquids and solids, uncover the pan and continue to stir frequently then for every five (5) minutes, cover it and allow it to boil without stirring. Repeat the said step for twenty (20) minutes. The heat causes the curds to form. When the oil will begin to separate from the curdled cream, uncover the pan continue to stir as the clear oil separates from the cream. The stirring will prevent the curds from being burned.

Schematic Diagram of the Extraction

Continue to boil it with continuous stirring until the "bits" of curdled cream will begin to turn hard and brown. Continue to simmer and stir until the clear oil is completely separated from the toasted cream bits. When the hard, brown bits settled in the bottom of the pan, take the pan out of the heat and prepare a clean glass container and a strainer. Then hold the strainer over a glass bowl and strain the oil. Place the toasted cream bits in another small bowl and keep them aside. Strain the oil one more time in another clean glass container and allow the oil to cool.

Hair Conditioner and Treatment Creation The coconut oil that was extracted from the coconut can now be used to create a hair conditioner and treatment. Prepare all the necessary materials in a clean table. Using the measuring cup, pour three hundred (300) mL of the coconut oil, and one hundred fifty (150) mL of real mayonnaise in a mixing bowl. Then, add two and a half (2.5) teaspoon of olive oil. When all the ingredients are in ...