A. U. Israel, R. E. Ogali and I.B. Obot

pp. 717 - 724

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the characterization and extraction of coconut coir dust using water, acetone, acetone/
water (70/30), (50/50) respectively. The acetone extract of the coir dust was phytochemically screened for tannins, polyphenols, flavanoids, phlobatannins. The moisture, ash, lignin, and cellulose contents of the coir dust were determined by
measuring the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the pH were found to be 2.39 mmol g^-1 and 6.4 respectively. The degree of
swelling of coir dust increased with increased solvent contact time. The percentage extract showed the best solvent system
to be acetone/water (70/30). In all the solvent systems, the smaller the particle size of coir dust, the greater the amount of
extract. The phytochemical screening of the acetone extract indicated significant amount of tannins, flavanoids and other
polyphenols in coir dust.

Keywords

• characterization
• coir dust
• extraction
• agricultural byproduct
• phytochemical screening