Processes in the preparation of coconut meat based compositions and films

Abstract

A dehydrated coconut meat based edible film, including its improvements and modifications, includes mainly of coconut meat wherein other fruit and vegetables are added as flavorings and enhancers. These coconut meat based films can be used as crepes, rolls, and or wraps, which are usually employed in wrapping any food such as fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, or cooked meat/fish, and any combination, after which are rolled, folded and eaten directly during meals or as snacks. The films, being mainly composed of fresh young coconut meat, are highly nutritious, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, raw, vegan, low carb, no added salt, and beneficial for human health. Further, the films can desirably be eaten directly, baked, steamed, fried, grilled and can remain fresh for up to twelve (12) months or longer, without chemical preservatives.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A dehydrated coconut meat based edible film comprising
 at least 88% of coconut meat derived from fresh and young coconut;   at most 12% of filtered fresh and young coconut water; and   a raw unrefined virgin coconut oil in the range of 1.0% to 5.0% is added based on a sum of the coconut meat and the coconut water as 100% by weight basis;   wherein the composition or edible film has
 a thickness in the range from about 1.0 millimeter to about 3.0 millimeter; 
 a water activity in the range of about 0.45 to about 0.55; and 
 a moisture content in the range of 8% to 10%. 
   
     
     
         35 . The edible film according to  claim 34  in the form of food wraps, crepes, rolls, and/or any convenient form that can be baked, steamed, grilled or fried together with different kinds of food component or ingredient or any food combinations and a plurality of food that can serve as meals or snacks. 
     
     
         36 . The edible film according to  claim 34  having a serving size of 1 wrap equivalent to 14 grams having only 70 calories calculated on calories from fat at 45 grams; saturated fat at 4.5 grams (22% Daily Value); trans fat at 0 grams; total fat at 5 grams (8% Daily Value); cholesterol at 0 milligrams (0% Daily Value); sodium at 10 milligrams (0% Daily Value); potassium at 290 milligrams (8% Daily Value); total carbohydrate at 6 grams (2% Daily Value); dietary fiber at 2 grams (8% Daily Value); soluble fiber at 1 gram; sugars at 3 grams; protein at 1 gram; calcium at 2% and iron at 2% and percent daily values are calculated based on 2,000 calorie diet. 
     
     
         37 . The edible film according to  claim 36  optionally comprising
 fresh or powdered egg whites, xanthan gum and/or combination thereof with increased quantity of raw unrefined virgin coconut oil and fresh and young macapuno; 
 mango polyphenolic extracts optionally in combination with raw unrefined virgin coconut oil; 
 natural colorants, flavor, texture, strength, pliability, flexibility, nutritional content and shelf-life enhancers selected from the group consisting of turmeric powder, cinnamon powder, cacao powder, lemon grass extract, moringa and macapuno. 
 
     
     
         38 . The edible film according to  claim 34  having thickness ranging from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm to 1.0-3.0 mm, preferably from about 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, more preferably from about 2.0 mm; moisture content ranging from 8% to 10%; and water activity of about 0.45 to about 0.55 further comprising fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs as flavor and color enhancers. 
     
     
         39 . A dehydrated coconut meat based edible film obtainable by process comprising the steps of:
 (a) preparing a coconut meat puree or batter formulation by mixing and blending fresh and young coconut meat with coconut water and raw unrefined virgin coconut oil,   (b) sieving the said mixture in step (a) using 100-200 mesh screen to achieve a homogeneous puree or batter,   (c) spreading the resulting sieved mixture in a drying sheet with stainless steel template with desired dimensions,   (d) drying the spread mixture up to a moisture content ranging from about 8 wt. % to about 10 wt. %,   (e) cooling down the films to a temperature range of about 18° C. to 24° C. for about 5 to 10 minutes, characterized in that:
 (a′) the coconut water is filtered in a 3-stage microfiltration system with 0.10 to 5 microns of microfilter to disinfect and eliminate undesirable particulates; 
 (b′) the coconut meat is subjected to a blast-freezer or contact freezer to prevent the onset of natural fermentation or immediate chopping and blending with the filtered coconut water to obtain a coconut meat puree; 
 (c′) the drying process is carried out using any energy source selected from solar energy, biomass, energy, liquefied petroleum gas, and electrical energy for about 4.5 to 5 hours, in stages wherein the stages consist of the following: 
 First stage: drying at 80 to 85° C. for about 30 minutes to one hour, 
 Second stage: drying at 70 to 80° C. for about 30 minutes to one hour, 
 Third stage: drying at 60 to 70° C. for about 30 minutes and then reshuffle and rotate the drying trays sheets and continue to dry for another 30 minutes, 
 Fourth stage: drying at 50 to 60° C. for about 30 minutes to one hour, 
 Fifth stage: drying at 45 to 50° C. for about 30 minutes to one hour and more preferably 46 to 49° C., and most preferably from about with a warm chamber 47 to 48° C. wherein a dehumidifier is provided to hasten drying process and keep the finished product raw. 
   
     
     
         40 . The edible film according to  claim 39 , wherein the coconut meat puree is further blended with vegetables, herbs and spices selected from turmeric powder, Moringa oleifera leaf powder, cinnamon powder, cacao powder, lemon grass extract, and mango polyphenolic extract. 
     
     
         41 . The edible film according to  claim 39 , wherein the blending process is done at five thousand (5,000) revolutions per minute (rpm) for six (6) to eight minutes and the stainless steel template has an outer dimension of about 16 inches by 24.5 inches and inner dimention of the molding at about 20 cm×20 cm wherein the stainless steel template can be further modified to 25 cm×25 cm, 28 cm×28 cm or 40 cm×40 cm. 
     
     
         42 . The edible film according to  claim 39 , wherein the dehydrated coconut meat based edible film has a thickness ranging from about 1.5 mm to about 3.0 mm; a moisture content ranging from about 8 wt. % to about 10 wt. %; a water activity of about 0.45 to about 0.55. 
     
     
         43 . The edible film according to  claim 39 , wherein the raw ingredients used are derived from fresh and young coconuts that are organic which further comprise
 at least 1.0 to 5.0% raw unrefined virgin coconut oil;   at least 0.05% mango polyphenolic extract; and   at least 2% to at most 4% other ingredients selected from turmetic powder, Moringa oleifera leaf powder, cinnamon powder, cacao powder, lemon grass extract, purple yam and sweet potato, orange sweet potato, onion powder and garlic powder   as flavor enhancer, natural color source, and nutritional content and shelf-life enhancers.