Selective electrocatalytic removal of organics from coconut water

Overview

This solution offers a clean, electrocatalytic approach to selectively removing unwanted organic compounds—such as aldehydes, alcohols, and lactones—from coconut water. By applying controlled electrochemical potentials to specially designed working electrodes, the technology oxidizes target organics into only water and carbon dioxide, eliminating the need for chemical additives and avoiding undesired side products. The approach addresses a key challenge in coconut water processing: the efficient and selective removal of off-flavor and quality-impacting compounds without degrading the product. The electrodes are fully recyclable with no post-reaction treatment required, and the electrochemical setup is designed for straightforward scale-up, making it attractive for food and beverage manufacturers seeking sustainable purification technologies.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of target organic compounds (aldehydes, alcohols, lactones) to CO₂ and H₂O
• Three-electrode electrochemical system validated in an H-cell configuration using commercial platinum-on-carbon working electrodes
• Potential-controlled selectivity leverages the fact that different chemical reactions occur at distinct electrochemical potentials, enabling targeted removal without collateral reactions
• Recyclable electrodes that require no post-reaction treatment or regeneration
• Clean chemistry with only water and carbon dioxide as reaction byproducts—no chemical oxidants or secondary waste streams

Planned development:

• Custom working electrode design to optimize selectivity and efficiency for coconut water matrices
• Migration from batch H-cell to a flow electrochemical system enabling continuous treatment by passing coconut water through a flow cell
• Analytical validation using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography to confirm removal efficiency and absence of side products
• Testing on simulated coconut water mixtures containing similar ingredient profiles

Technology readiness level

The concept has been validated at a foundational laboratory scale. Proof-of-concept experiments using isopropanol as a model organic compound demonstrated successful electrochemical oxidation to CO₂ and H₂O at a designed potential, with measurable concentration reduction and no detectable side products after one hour of operation. Future work will focus on validating selectivity in complex coconut water-like mixtures, optimizing electrode composition and applied potentials, and demonstrating scalability through a continuous flow cell design suitable for industrial processing volumes.