82 The Philippine Journal of Science iw 



The action of the sulphur dioxide on coconut meat serves a 

 double purpose. The mold spores are destroyed, and a sufficient 

 amount of the sulphur dioxide remains in the meat for the time 

 necessary for the escape of the water to prevent the growth of 

 new mold spores. Also, as will be shown in Table XX, there 

 is a considerable loss of water during the treatment due to the 

 softening of the cell walls from the action of the sulphur dioxide, 

 which has a marked affinity for water. 



Table XX shows data taken from analysis of sulphured coconut 

 meat which was allowed to dry under cover. At no time was 

 this meat exposed to the drying influence of the sun or artificial 

 heat. The figures are averages from ten samples for each period 

 of treatment and represent a close approximation of the true 

 sulphur dioxide content. 



The residual sulphur dioxide after one month's time may be 

 disregarded, as only traces are found. A part of the samples 

 from the series receiving six and nine hours sulphuring developed 

 a slight growth of green mold which was entirely superficial, 

 and after the meat was completely dry, it could be brushed off, 

 leaving white copra exposed. Copra prepared by this method 

 with treatments of twelve hours or more and if dried within 

 two weeks is clean and white and free from mold, the oil ex- 

 pressed being practically colorless and free from rancidity and 

 acidity. Sulphur dioxide was not detected in the expressed oil. 

 It is pronounced equal to, or better than, the best Cochin oil and 

 will, therefore, sell for from 4 to 6 centavos a pound more than 

 the ordinary oil. At 4 centavos per pound this would mean an 

 increased value of 3.28 pesos per picul of copra. With proper 

 organization the labor cost by this method should not exceed 

 that of the tapahan or sun-drying processes, and the initial out- 

 lay is small. Tarred paper may be substituted for wood in the 

 construction of the box, and bamboo for the trays is inexpensive. 

 Unless sundrying is used in conjunction, two weeks should elapse 

 before marketing the copra, and while this time element is an 

 objectionable factor, the increased value of the product would 

 more than pay for the delay. The expense of sulphuring is also 

 negligible when the superior quality of copra obtainable is con- 

 sidered. The sulphur need not be a refined grade; in fact the 

 crude sulphur is preferable, as the impurities slacken the rate 

 of combustion and, hence, increase the length of time of sulphur- 

 ing from a given amount of sulphur. Sulphur is available in 

 both the Philippines and Japan. A local demand would develop 

 the sulphur resources of the Philippines; otherwise it could be 

 imported from Japan more cheaply than is now the case with 



