Quality attributes, functional compounds and antioxidant activity of different parts of mini watermelon
Citrullus lanatus L., endocarp, mesocarp, lycopene, antioxidants.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) is one of the most demanded fruit vegetables in the world, its demand is related to its low caloric content, freshness and nutritional properties, in addition to being a source of several functional compounds such as vitamin C, lycopene, flavonoids, among others. . However, these compounds may vary according to the cultivated genotype, pulp color and part of the evaluated fruit. Thus, the objective was to analyze the physicochemical attributes, functional compounds and antioxidant activity of different parts of the pulps of the fruits of mini watermelon hybrids. For this purpose, three different parts of mini watermelon fruits (1- central pulp endocarp, 2- distal pulp endocarp and 3- mesocarp between the rind) of mini watermelon hybrids 'Smile', 'Champagne', 'Sharoline' and 'Fenway'. The parameters evaluated were: soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ratio, levels of vitamin C, lycopene, β-carotene, flavonoids, phenolic and total phenolic acids and the antioxidant potential through different methods - scavenging of radicals ABTS, DPPH and reducing power of iron-FRAP. Among the mini watermelon hybrids evaluated, 'Smile' had the highest content of soluble solids. On the other hand, 'Sharoline' and 'Champagne' presented higher levels of vitamin C. 'Smile' and 'Sharoline' presented the best results regarding the content of functional compounds, having higher levels of lycopene, β-carotene, flavonoids, phenolic and total phenolic acids. , giving them good results of antioxidant activity. 'Champagne' stood out due to the good results in vitamin C, phenolic and total phenolic acids and antioxidant activity and due to its yellowish pulp, it had low lycopene contents, which combined with its flavor makes it a differentiated mini watermelon option. The central endocarp is the part of the fruit with the highest concentration of functional compounds and antioxidant activity. In the distal endocarp, there is a high concentration of carotenoids in the Smile and Champagne hybrids, and the mesocarp has a high concentration of phenolic compounds, which can be consumed or even used in agribusiness.