Coconut haustorium (sprout) is the delicious white, spongy edible part formed during the germination of coconut. On germination, the basal part of the embryo enlarges to form the cotyledonary structure, haustorium. In addition to the regular dietary coconut products, coconut sprout is also consumed in tropical regions of the world. Phytochemical analyses of dried coconut sprout conducted by us revealed that sprout contains digestible carbohydrates (26.78%), proteins (18.04%), fiber (15.23%), fat (8.77%), vitamin C (0. 07%), vitamin E (0.06%) and total polyphenols (0.15%).
Studies using aqueous extract of coconut sprout proved that it has potent cardioprotective, antioxidant, antiperoxidative and antithrombotic properties in rats induced miocardial infarction. Characterization of the aqueous extract of coconut haustorium revealed that it contains the amino acid L-arginine. In addition, sprout also contains the alkaloid, tetra methyl pyrazine. L-arginine in sprout beneficially improved oxidative stress and lysosomal instability associated with experimental myocardial infarction. Further studies revealed that coconut sprout exerts its cardioprotective effect by beneficially modulating the L-arginine - nitric oxide pathway.