Bioavailability of Citrulline in Watermelon Flesh, Rind, and Skin Using a Human Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cell Model

Abstract

Watermelon produces many byproducts (watermelon rind and skin) even though those components contain various bioactive compounds, including citrulline. This study evaluated the citrulline concentration, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays) of different parts of watermelon and investigated the bioavailability of citrulline from different parts of watermelon using an in vitro human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Solid-phase extracted watermelon flesh, rind, and skin samples were treated on a Caco-2 cell monolayer for 1, 2, and 4 h. The collected basolateral solution at each time point was analyzed for the percentage of citrulline transport. Watermelon flesh had the highest citrulline content, but the watermelon skin had the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared to other watermelon parts. The citrulline bioavailability showed greater % transport in watermelon skin than in watermelon flesh, rind, and L-citrulline standard. It may be due to the different food matrices of watermelon parts. This suggests that the utilization of watermelon by-products such as skin would help develop value-added products with better bioavailability of citrulline. However, since this study was conducted with an in vitro cell model, more extensive research with in vivo studies will be needed.

Combined Effect of Biostimulants and Mineral Fertilizers on Crop Performance and Fruit Quality of Watermelon Plants

“…Moreover, none of the extracts showed toxicity against the studied non-tumor cell line (Vero). According to Lu et al [102], the different parts of watermelon fruit (e.g., flesh, rind and skin) showed a varied efficacy against human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells, and they attributed these effects to citrulline content. Moreover, El Gizawy et al [103] reported varied cytotoxic effects of rind extracts of watermelon fruit against human cell lines including A549, Caco-2, H1299, HCT116, Hep2, HepG2, and MCF-7.…”