Research Article

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Volume: 51 Number: 1 January 21, 2026
TR EN

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Abstract

This study investigated the physicochemical changes of cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil during digestion using a semi-dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal system that simulates the mouth, gastric, and intestinal phases. Key parameters-including free fatty acidity, peroxide value, refractive index, iodine value, fatty acid composition, and sterol profile-were analyzed, and statistical differences were evaluated by one-way ANOVA. Digestion led to significant alterations in several indices, notably a marked increase in free fatty acids in the intestinal phase (P<0.05), indicating extensive lipase-mediated hydrolysis. Peroxide value, iodine number, and refractive index also changed across phases, while fatty acid and sterol profiles exhibited phase-dependent shifts. These findings demonstrate that coconut oil undergoes significant physicochemical transformations during digestion, particularly under the influence of intestinal enzymatic activity. The study highlights the importance of gastrointestinal simulation when assessing the nutritional behavior and stability of dietary oils.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, with project number 24.KARIYER.005.

Project Number

24.KARİYER.005

Ethical Statement

This research received ethics committee approval from the Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Non-Interventional Scientific Research Ethics Committee, code 2024/4, dated April 19, 2024.

References

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  3. Ananth, D.A., Deviram, G., Mahalakshmi, V., Sivasudha, T., Tietel, Z. (2019). Phytochemical composition and antioxidant characteristics of traditional cold pressed seed oils in South India. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 17, 416-421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. bcab.2018.12.018
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  5. Aramugam, M., Raman, M., Eagappan, K. (2014). Cold pressed virgin Cocunut Oil From Full Fat Cocunut Flakes a Functional Oil. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6(6), 186- 190. Arlee, R., Suanphairoch, S., Pakdeechanuan, P. (2013). Differences in chemical components and antioxidant-related substances in virgin coconut oil from coconut hybrids and their parents. Int Food Res J., 20(5), 2103-2109.
  6. Awuchi, C.G., Gonzaga, A. (2018). Effects of Repeated Deep Frying on Refractive Index and Peroxide Value of Selected Vegetable Oils. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 4(4), 106-119.
  7. Boateng, L., Ansong, R., Owusu, W., Steiner-Asiedu, M. (2016). Coconut oil and palm oil’s role in nutrition, health and national development: A review. Ghana Medical Journal, 50(3), 189-196. https:// doi.org/10.4314/gmj.v50i3.11
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Food Nutritional Balance

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

January 21, 2026

Publication Date

January 21, 2026

Submission Date

October 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 8, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 51 Number: 1

APA
İnce Palamutoğlu, M., Duman, S., Palamutoğlu, R., & Duman, E. (2026). PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM. Gıda, 51(1), 45-59. https://doi.org/10.15237//gida.GD25131
AMA
1.İnce Palamutoğlu M, Duman S, Palamutoğlu R, Duman E. PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM. The Journal of Food. 2026;51(1):45-59. doi:10.15237//gida.GD25131
Chicago
İnce Palamutoğlu, Merve, Sabire Duman, Recep Palamutoğlu, and Erman Duman. 2026. “PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM”. Gıda 51 (1): 45-59. https://doi.org/10.15237//gida.GD25131.
EndNote
İnce Palamutoğlu M, Duman S, Palamutoğlu R, Duman E (February 1, 2026) PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM. Gıda 51 1 45–59.
IEEE
[1]M. İnce Palamutoğlu, S. Duman, R. Palamutoğlu, and E. Duman, “PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM”, The Journal of Food, vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 45–59, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.15237//gida.GD25131.
ISNAD
İnce Palamutoğlu, Merve - Duman, Sabire - Palamutoğlu, Recep - Duman, Erman. “PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM”. Gıda 51/1 (February 1, 2026): 45-59. https://doi.org/10.15237//gida.GD25131.
JAMA
1.İnce Palamutoğlu M, Duman S, Palamutoğlu R, Duman E. PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM. The Journal of Food. 2026;51:45–59.
MLA
İnce Palamutoğlu, Merve, et al. “PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM”. Gıda, vol. 51, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 45-59, doi:10.15237//gida.GD25131.
Vancouver
1.Merve İnce Palamutoğlu, Sabire Duman, Recep Palamutoğlu, Erman Duman. PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF COCONUT OIL IN AN IN VITRO GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM. The Journal of Food. 2026 Feb. 1;51(1):45-59. doi:10.15237//gida.GD25131

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