The establishment of a centre for Research and Development of Coconut was initiated by Prof (Dr) T. Rajamohan, after his retirement from the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala in 2013. Coconut Research and Development Centre (CRDC) is managed by Coconut Research and Development Society, a no profit charitable society registered under Travancore - Cochin, Literary , Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act. 1955 (Reg. No. TVM/TC/142/2015).Our Centre is located at Uppermeridian road, near Pattom Palace, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.
Coconut, to which Kerala owes its name, plays a significant role in the food habits and economy of the people of this state. The tree is unique, as every part of it has a distinct use in the life of Keralites. It is a crop with multifarious uses as a source of food, drink and shelter. Coconut oil, coconut kernel and coconut water are used in every home in Kerala. In view of its importance in Kerala diet, research studies on the health effects of coconut and its products was started in 1991 in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala under the leadership of Dr.T.Rajamohan. Since then the laboratory was active in conducting research on various aspects of coconut and its products in health and disease. Coconut and coconut oil are widely consumed in our state and the consumption of which is discouraged by our medical professionals for fear of possible cholesterol elevating action, for which there is no proven, concrete scientific basis. Since, these problems concern the economic surroundings of our society, a proper study would necessary to alleviate the ill founded stigma folded around coconut. It was these widely spread false notions regarding the harmful effects of consuming coconut and coconut oil motivated me to carry out detailed research regarding the health aspects of coconut and its products.
The first study on the effect of consumption of coconut and coconut oil on serum lipid profile in humans funded by the Coconut Development Board, Govt. of India was carried out during 1992-1995. This study proved that consumption of coconut kernel and coconut oil has beneficial effects on blood cholesterol and heart disease. In continuation of this project work, several studies have been carried out in experimental animals using coconut oil, coconut kernel, coconut protein and coconut fiber. These studies generated immense data about the beneficial effects of coconut and its products and cleared the misconception about coconut oil on blood cholesterol and increased the demand for coconut oil for human consumption. The significant findings of these studies were presented in several National and International seminars.
Experiments conducted using tender coconut water was one of the significant works carried out by us, since it came at a time when the controversy over the health hazardous effects of synthetic drinks namely, coca-cola was at its peak in Kerala State. The comparative studies have proved the beneficial effects of tender coconut water over coca-cola During this period, our laboratory was instrumental in promoting awareness among public about the health problems associated with synthetic drinks, coca-cola and advised to replace it with tender coconut water. The results generated by us attracted people to consume tender coconut water as a soft drink in place of coca-cola. This work was presented in the National Seminar on Coconut and Coconut Products in Health and Disease organized by us in 2003. During the year 2004, we have organized another Seminar and Exhibition on Coconut and Coconut products to provide information to the public on all aspects of coconut industry such as cultivation, processing, technology and research on coconut products.
Another significant study carried out by us was the effect of virgin coconut oil on blood lipids and atherosclerosis. Experiments were conducted to find out the cardioprotective properties of coconut haustorium (sprout). In addition, detailed studies were conducted to find out the antidiabetic properties of coconut inflorescence.
Two decades of intense research carried out by us generated immense data on the health benefits of coconut and its products. During this period 50 research papers were published in reputed journals. 17 PhD students, 17 MPhil. students and 21 MSc. students completed their thesis and dissertation works based on studies on coconut and its products.