Copra Meal: A Review of Its Production, Properties, and Prospects

Simple Summary There has been a growing focus on the utilization of copra meal, the byproduct of coconut oil production, as an alternative feed ingredient to supplement the growing demands of the ruminant livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries. It provides a locally available and inexpensive source of protein, which is essential in tropical and subtropical regions, where coconut production is robust while conventional feed ingredients are scarce and prices are often unstable. This paper presents up-to-date information on the advancements in using copra meal as an animal feed ingredient and the various methods employed to enhance its nutritional and feeding value. It also offers a comprehensive overview of the physical and chemical properties of copra meal, emphasizing the need for further research to fully exploit its potential due to the limited understanding of its physical properties and the variability in quality resulting from different processing operations. This review paper also focuses on other potential applications for copra meal, which is crucial given the substantial global production volume with limited value addition. This could play a significant role in boosting the profitability of the coconut sector, reducing agricultural waste, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Abstract Copra meal, the byproduct of coconut oil production, has been widely available at low cost but has been underutilized, with huge portions still becoming waste. Extensive research on different species have been performed to improve its use as an alternative feed ingredient, aiming to reduce the impact of fluctuating feed prices in some parts of the world where coconut is a major commodity. As for any biological product, the physical and chemical properties of copra meal play a crucial role in its use and limitations. In the case of copra meal, studies have found that additional treatments are needed to improve its nutritional composition and make it readily and efficiently available for ruminant and monogastric animals, poultry, and aquaculture applications. This paper presents a summary of up-to-date information on the physical and chemical characteristics of the product, as well as discussions on the various methods employed to improve and optimize its biological value as animal feed. There have been limited studies that have explored other effective and economical means of utilizing copra meal outside the livestock and feed industry. Hence, this paper also aims to provide a lens on future prospects and diverse applications involving copra meal, as well as to present the gaps and challenges that have to be addressed to maximize its product value and biological potential.