Coconut Processing Research Division
To be the center for research and technology innovation to increase income from the coconut industry through diversification and value addition.
Mission
Generate knowledge and technology to develop value added products from coconut by minimizing wastage at various production processes
Research Division
Agronomy Division
Crop Protection Division
Economics & Agribusiness
Genetics & Plant Breeding Division
Plant Physiology Division
Coconut Processing Research Division
Soils and Plant Nutrition Division
Tissue Culture Division
Technology Transfer Division
Current Research
Extra VCO production through fermentation
Development of value added coconut butter from coconut kernel
Concentration of protein and production of Spread cheese from Coconut Skimmed Milk
Development of an edible food wrap from coconut protein isolates
Improvements for the coconut paring oil production process
Development of low GI food from defatted coconut flour and defatted coconut testa flour
Determination of the effect of virgin coconut oil in ameliorating Type 2 diabetes in human.
Determination of the efficacy of adjunctive extra virgin coconut oil/ coconut products used in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild to severe Alzheimer’s disease
Anti-diabetic and anti oxidative potentials of partially-defatted coconut parings of indigenous coconut varieties
Determination of the effect of fresh ground coconut kernel to reduce domestic wastage and study on health benefits of creamed coconut
Development of a technology for manufacturing cushion/mattress using waste coir fiber
Quality Improvement of Gloves and Rubber Boots by using Coconut Husk Products
Fabrication of a dryer for drying coir pith
Major achievements
Initiate the business incubation facility dedicated to entrapnuers of coconut industry
Milestones
Commercialization of dry processing of virgin coconut oil
Development of de-fatted coconut flour production technology
Developed coconut sap collection device to collect fresh coconut sap
Developed a drying system based on flash drying mechanism to dry coir pith
Development of dry coconut paste to minimize coconut wastage at domestic level and to utilize the whole kernel for consumption.
Improvement to copra drying process to produce high quality copra
Technology for manufacture coconut water vinegar.
Staff
Research
Dr. L L W C Yalegama
Head
Mrs. H P D T Hewapathirana
Research Officer
Ms. J A K M Fernando
Chemical Engineer
Mrs. Ranahansi Bandara
Research Officer
Technical (Research)
Mr. S S Rajapakse
Experimental Officer
Ms. T M S G Weerasinghe
Experimental Officer
Ms. A M L Silva
Technical Officer
Ms. C A T D Chandrapeli
Technical Officer
Mr. D W L Lilruksha
Technical Officer
Non Research
Ms. S H K G Kumarasiri
Lab and Field Assistant
Ms. D C S Sandamali
Lab and Field Assistant
Mr. N A C Udayasiri
Lab and Field Assistant
Mr. H D J K Jayasekara
Lab and Field Assistant
Mr. A A C Dammika
Office Attendant