Some Physico-Chemical Properties of Edible and Forage Watermelon Seeds

Abstract

<em>T</em><em>he crude oil, crude protein, crude ash, crude fiber, total phenol and antioxidant activity values, peroxide values, specific gravity, the refraxtive index and acid value of Citrullus lanatus and their oils were determined. Fatty acid composition of seeds belong to both watermelon were determined by Gas Chromotography (GC). These oils are important sources of essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (63.19% to 72.03%). Oleic acid contents of seeds ranged between 17.55% (Forage watermelon kernel) to 24.65% (watermelon kernel). Cd, Cr, Mn contents of watermelon kernel were found between 0.02 to 0.09 mg/kg, 0.37 to 1.46 mg/kg and 6.08 to 11.31 mg/kg, respectively. Ca, K, Mg, Na, P and S were found as major elements in seed samples. Total phenol contents of watermelon seeds ranged between 0.13 mg GAE /100 mg to 0.30 mg GAE/100 mg. Antioxidant activity of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) seeds (5.06 and 13.90%) were found higher than those of normal seeds (1.31 and 4.42%). Peroxide values of watermelon oils ranged between 7.6 meqO₂/kg to 11.7 meqO₂/kg.</em><em></em>