12 June 2023. Gianyar, dewatanews.com - Farmers are invited to start processing the coconut production produced into Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) or pure coconut oil. This effort is expected to increase the economic value of processed coconut products produced by farmers, because so far coconut oil production has only been done conventionally, known as minyak jarakan. Innovation in processing coconut into VCO is an innovative way to optimize the utilization of coconut products. The VCO produced can later become a souvenir that can be brought back by tourists to their country. "If processed in the form of VCO, it will certainly be liked by various groups, especially tourists in Bali. Moreover, VCO has been known as a plant with various benefits," said Academician of the Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University, Ni Luh Putu Putri Setianingsih, S.Si., M.Si who is also the Head of the Community Service Program when confirmed in Gianyar on Monday (12/6).
According to Putri, the method of making VCO has now developed into dry and wet methods. One example of this method is making VCO without heating and additional chemicals so that the quality of the VCO produced is the best. Heating and the addition of chemicals can change the structure and composition of fatty acids contained in the resulting VCO. "Therefore, we are looking for a method that is safe, cheap, and easy in its manufacturing technique and can be applied on a household scale," he said. He said VCO) has recently become popular in society, because it is said to provide health benefits.
Those who believe in the efficacy of pure coconut oil believe that VCO can strengthen immunity, and prevent heart disease and even dementia. Pure coconut oil has characteristics including clear color and fragrant aroma of coconut oil and has a shelf life of up to one year. Putri Setianingsih admitted that efforts to socialize coconut processing into VCO have been carried out, one of which is by involving PKK Merta Nadi Banjar Lantangidung mothers, in Gianyar Regency. VCO is a processed product from coconut meat and is beneficial for human health. VCO is very rich in lauric acid content ranging from 50-70%. VCO is thought to have the potential as an antivirus and antibacterial so that it can be used to fight the HIV that causes AIDS. VCO is one of the coconut oil products that currently has market opportunities at home and abroad.
