Nutritional Composition and Oil Characteristics of Golden Melon (Cucumis melo) Seeds

Abstract

This study investigated the mineral and proximate composition of Golden/canary melon (Cucumis melo) seeds and the physiochemical properties of the seed oil. Proximate composition and physicochemical properties of oil were

performed according to AOAC procedures. Minerals were determined using the method of  Novozamsky et al. (1983). Results show that the seeds contained high percentage of crude fibre (33.94%) and low percentage of carbohydrate (3.14%). The seeds also contain high value of iron (136.5ppm), zinc (48.35ppm), manganese (25.70ppm), copper (15.40ppm) and low value of calcium (0.023±0.001%). Hexane extracted oil had acid value (2.68mgKOH/g) peroxide value (7.42mgKOH/g), iodine value of (117.43mgKOH/g), saponification value (191.42), free fatty acid (2.34) moisture content (5.68%), and refractive index (1.62) respectively. The seeds serve as good sources of crude fiber, fat and protein. Results also showed that the golden/canary melon oil is non rancid.

Keywords: Physicochemical, Golden melon,  Hexane extracted oil