Natural Antioxidant Potential of Melon Peels for Fortified Foods

Abstract

Agricultural and food waste recycling reduces natural resource losses, contributing significantly to the development of new green markets through the creation of redesigned products. In order to cycle valuable molecules, the peels from Italian cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars were studied and successfully characterized for high-added biomolecules to verify their possible exploitation as wealthy biomasses. Peels were investigated for their cell wall-modifying and browning enzymes, as well as for total polyphenols, ortho-diphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidant properties. The results of the analyses displayed great promise in one of the three cultivars investigated. Later on, a preliminary study using the best peel extract as a dietary supplement was carried out by preparing fortified seawater to enhance its antioxidant power. The effects of storage time (60 days) were examined at two temperatures through the determination of the stability of the polyphenol content. The kinetic parameters of degradation were also calculated. The “enriched sea water” retained great antioxidant activity in refrigerated conditions, demonstrating that there is good potential for melon by-products to add their natural compounds for food fortification. These findings may provide valuable data for scale-up, from the lab to the pilot or industrial application.

Investigating Potential Sources of Sore Throat: Physico-Chemical Attributes and Microbial Contamination in Rambutan from Fresh Harvests and Retail Stores

“…Currently, there is limited review addressing the weight of visible fine dirt on fruit's external peels, making comparison difficult. However, previous research by Elhassaneen et al (2022) and Vella et al (2023) claims that fine dirt is commonly found on fruit external peel. Therefore, it is recommended to thoroughly wash the fruits with water to remove any dust, sand, wax or pesticide residue that may be present.…”

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the CmHAK Gene Family in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

“…Due to its fresh, tender, juicy flesh and sweet taste, it is deeply loved by widespread consumers [3]. Potassium plays an important role in the growth and stress responses of melon [2,4], and is one of the essential nutrients for plant growth, accounting for 2% to 7% of the total dry matter of plants [5]. Potassium can regulate the osmotic pressure of cells, balance the charge inside and outside the membrane, participate in the enzyme activity reaction, improve the photosynthetic reaction rate, and promote the transportation of sugar and protein synthesis in the plant.…”