# Impact of Coconut Copra Byproducts Incorporation on Granola Quality Characteristics
## 3 Results and Discussion
### Bioactive Characteristics of Coconut Copra Blends
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Samples**} & **Reducing** & **DPPH** & **DPPH** & **ABTS** & **ABTS** & **FRAP** & **FRAP** \\  & **Sugars** & **EOH** & **H\({}_{2}\)O** & **EOH** & **H\({}_{2}\)O** & **EOH** & **H\({}_{2}\)O** \\ \hline  & **[GE mg/g DM]** & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**[TE mg/g DM]**} & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**[FeSO\({}_{4}\) mM/g DM]**} \\ \hline CC & 5.21 \(\pm\) 0.20 \({}^{\text{d}}\) & 1.40 \(\pm\) 0.29 \({}^{\text{b}}\) & 1.58 \(\pm\) 0.02 \({}^{\text{c}}\) & 1.41 \(\pm\) 0  
Similarly, studies conducted on coconut copra (from a tall coconut variety) grown in the state of Kerala, India, showed that the antioxidant activity of this raw material (expressed by the IC50 parameter value for the DPPH method) was 1.96 mg/mL and was higher [34] than that of banana flour (obtained from banana varieties such as Yangambi, Mysore Ethan, Zanzibar, Peyan, Palayankodan, Malayann, Nendran, Robusta, Kappa, and Monthan) for which the antiradical activity expressed by the IC50 parameter value (for the DPPH method) ranged from 0.035 mg/mL to 0.047 mg/mL [37]. ABTS radical scavenging capacity values ranged from 0.77 \(\pm\) 0.21 to 1.41 \(\pm\) 0.18 mg TE/g DM in ethanolic extracts, while water extracts showed values between 0.46 \(\pm\) 0.04 and 0.57 \(\pm\) 0.25 mg TE/g DM. Highly significant sample effects and the sample \(\times\) solvent interaction were observed, though no significant solvent effect was detected. For the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), ethanolic extracts showed values from 0.80 \(\pm\) 0.23 to 1.48 \(\pm\) 0.18 mM FeSO\({}_{4}\)/g DM, while water extracts ranged from 0.48 \(\pm\) 0.05 to 0.60 \(\pm\) 0.26 mM FeSO\({}_{4}\)/g DM. A significant sample \(\times\) solvent interaction was observed, though no significant main effects of solvent type were found. Largely similar results for reducing activity (expressed by the FRAP method) were obtained in banana flour obtained from a banana variety grown in Brazil (14 \(\mu\)M Fe\({}^{2+}\)/g DM) [38], which was higher than the antioxidant activity measured for coconut copra obtained from coconuts grown in the Tanjung Karang region in Indonesia (0.751 \(\mu\)M Fe\({}^{2+}\)/g DM) [39]. Pure CC consistently demonstrated higher antioxidant activity than pure BF, and blending CC with BF generally maintained good antioxidant properties. The CC75/25 BF blend showed an optimal balance of properties. The choice of extraction solvent significantly impacted the measured antioxidant activity, with complex interactions between the sample composition and solvent type observed for ABTS and FRAP assays. Ethanolic extracts generally showed higher antioxidant activity values. Statistical analysis revealed that sample effects were significant across all assays, and sample \(\times\) solvent interactions were significant for ABTS and FRAP measurements. In contrast, the extraction solvent alone did not show significant main effects. These results suggest that coconut copra possesses substantial antioxidant properties maintained mainly when blended with banana flour, supporting its potential use as a functional ingredient in granola formulations. The molecular composition of the samples was further characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with the resulting spectra presented in Figure 6. The FT-IR/ATR spectra of banana flour (BF), coconut copra (CC), and their blends exhibit a prominent spectral feature, with a strong band at approximately 3300 cm\({}^{-1}\), indicative of strong hydrogen bonds and corresponding to the hydroxyl group vibrations from carbohydrates, proteins, and moisture content in the samples. This characteristic band suggests the presence of a complex network of hydrogen bonds, which may influence the physical and chemical properties of the samples. Additionally, the spectra display several distinct absorption regions, providing insight into the molecular composition of the samples.