ACCOUNTING FOR THE ABSENCE OF ADVERSE REACTIONS DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF PROTEINS AND HIGH POTASSIUM FOLLOWING TENDER COCONUT WATER INTRAVENOUS INFUSION: A NON-CLINICAL STUDY

The absence of hypersensitivity reactions during intravenous administration of tender coconut water due to the presence of proteins and the absence of hyperkalaemia symptoms due to high potassium concentration were investigated. It also covered many physicochemical properties of tender coconut water of five different coconut varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Samples were analysed for metal ions, glucose, protein, pH, conductivity and sterility. The molecular weight of proteins was determined by the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis method. The lowering of plasma potassium concentration by 6-9 times following intravenous infusion of coconut water was determined mathematically. The King Coconut exhibited higher levels of metal ions ([K+] = 51.76±3.58 mmol/L, [Mg2+] = 5.27±0.74 mmol/L, [Ca2+] = 12.56±0.05 mmol/L) and glucose (221.581±1.096 mg/dL). Protein concentration of all varieties was low at 0.02% – 0.08% and consisted of low molecular weight peptides, 1 kDa to 13 kDa. The pH across all five varieties ranged from 4 to 7. All samples were found to be sterile. Low concentration of proteins and their low molecular weights less than 10kDa are insufficient to qualify them as antigens. Further, the presence of hyperkalaemia antidotes calcium, magnesium and glucose may be the reason for the absence of hyperkalaemia reactions. The study eliminates two parameters that led to reluctance by healthcare personnel in the clinical use of tender coconut water for intravenous infusion therapy.