346 



KiRKWooD AND GiES : Chemical Studies 



Percentage Composition qf the Endosperm 



Constituents. 



Water. 

 Solids. 



Inorganic matter. 

 Organic matter. 



Fat (substance soluble in ether). 

 Crude fiber (cellulose). 



Proteid (NX5-5)t 

 Soluble carbohydrate, non-nitrogenous 

 substance, extractive, etc. (by differ- 

 ence). 

 Nitrogen. 



The previous results obtained by Hammerbacher| for the 

 fresh endosperm from nuts of eastern origin were as follows : 



Non-nitrogenous 

 Water. Solids. Inorganic Matter. Organic Matter. Fat. Crude Fiber. Proteid. Extractive. 



46.64 53.36 0.97 52.39 35.93 2.91 5.49 8.06 



Composition of Shell and Husk. — We have already alluded 

 to some of the uses to which the shell and husk of the cocoanut 

 are put by reason of the chemical and physical qualities they pos- 

 sess. Some facts regarding their chemical composition were given 

 in the table on page 335. 



The following percentage results of elementary analysis of the 

 powdered shell were obtained by Baumhauer;§ all samples having 

 finally been thoroughly extracted in alcohol and ether, and then 

 dried at 120°- 150° C: 



* According to Dietrich and Konig ( Konig, Menschlichen Nahrungs- und Ge- 

 nussmittel, etc., i : 6i2. 1893) the rt2;--(/;7V(/ substance contains the following in per- 

 centage of the total dry weight : 



Total Substance Soluble in Water. Proteids Soluble in Water. Sugar (Sugar- Yielding Substance). 

 15.16 2.27 9.25 



f The factor 5.5 is used because the proteids of the endosperm contain 18 per cent, 

 of nitrogen. See references in this connection on page 341, footnote. 



J Hammerbacher : Landwirtschaftlichen Versuchs-Stationen, etc. , 18:472. 1875. 

 § Baumhauer : Pharmaceutisches Centralblatt, 601. 1 844. 



