Conference Proceedings

Abstract

Citrullus lanatus L. (Cucurbitaceae) known as Water melon is an edible fruit in many countries especially Nigeria. Chemical composition, phytochemical, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the dried seeds of C. lanatus were determined to understand its potential health benefits since oil extract from a number of fruits, nuts and seeds are used in cooking, soap making and as ingredient in confectioneries of baked or fried foods. Dried and pulverized Watermelon seeds were extracted using hexane at 60-70oC. Standard methods were used to determine phytochemical and physicochemical parameters. The chemical composition of the oil was determined using Gas-Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) while antioxidant activity was determined using 2, 2- diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and reducing power methods. Results showed that the light yellow oil with an average yield of 41.32% showed the presence of terpenoids, phenolics, glycosides, and carbohydrate. Physicochemical parameters such as acid value 2.03, saponification value 183.13, iodine value 121.51, specific gravity 0.85, viscosity 2.48, refractive index 1.47 and power of hydrogen 6.20 were reported. Oleic acid methyl ester (62.38%) was the most abundant compound detected in the seed oil. The seed oil showed moderate activity when compared with ascorbic acid in the antioxidant screening when DPPH and reducing power methods were used. This present study has greatly justified the use of watermelon as an edible medicinal fruit.