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Assessing crop seed phenotypic traits is essential for breeding innovations and germplasm enhancement. However, the tough outer layers of thin-shelled seeds present significant challenges for traditional methods aimed at the rapid assessment of their internal structures and quality attributes. This study explores the potential of combining terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and imaging with semantic segmentation models for the rapid and non-destructive examination of these traits. A total of 120 watermelon seed samples from three distinct varieties, were curated in this study, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of both their outer layers and inner kernels. Utilizing a transmission imaging modality, THz spectral images were acquired and subsequently reconstructed employing a correlation coefficient method. Deep learning-based SegNet and DeepLab V3+ models were employed for automatic tissue segmentation. Our research revealed that DeepLab V3+ significantly surpassed SegNet in both speed and accuracy. Specifically, DeepLab V3+ achieved a pixel accuracy of 96.69 % and an intersection over the union of 91.3 % for the outer layer, with the inner kernel results closely following. These results underscore the proficiency of DeepLab V3+ in distinguishing between the seed coat and kernel, thereby furnishing precise phenotypic trait analyses for seeds with thin shells. Moreover, this study accentuates the instrumental role of deep learning technologies in advancing agricultural research and practices., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We present a new computational approach, named Watermelon , designed for the development of pharmacophore models based on receptor structures. The methodology involves the sampling of potential hotspots for ligand interactions within a protein target's binding site, utilising molecular fragments as probes. By employing docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the most significant interactions formed by these probes within distinct regions of the binding site are identified. These interactions are subsequently transformed into pharmacophore features that delineates key anchoring sites for potential ligands. The reliability of the approach was experimentally validated using the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme. The generated pharmacophore model captured features representing ligand-MAGL interactions observed in various X-ray co-crystal structures and was employed to screen a database of commercially available compounds, in combination with consensus docking and MD simulations. The screening successfully identified two new MAGL inhibitors with micromolar potency, thus confirming the reliability of the Watermelon approach.

Urea contamination in milk poses significant health risks, including kidney failure, urinary tract obstruction, fluid loss, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. This highlights the need for sensitive, rapid, and reliable methods to detect traces amount of urea in milk. In this study, we designed an electrochemical transducer for urea detection by utilizing purified watermelon urease (Urs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and graphene oxide (GO). The nanomaterials and biosensor probe were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, XPS, TEM, XRD, FTIR, AFM, CV, EIS, and DPV. The engineered probe (GCE/AuNPs/GO/Urs) demonstrated a broad linear detection range of 5 to 90 mg/dL and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.037 (±0.012) mg/dL (RSD < 3.7%). The biosensor was tested for potential interferents that may be present in adulterated milk and an exceptionally low coefficient of selectivity (ksel <0.1) was obtained. Evaluation of milk samples from a local dairy farm showed good recovery rates from 93.13% to. 98.79% (RSD < 4.28%, n = 3), indicating reliable detection capabilities. Stability tests confirmed the sensor's reproducibility and consistent performance. Additionally, a comparison study of the system was carried out using the purified watermelon urease and the commercially available urease. Herein, the results obtained using the sensor probe was finally validated with the gold standard method.

The development of environmentally friendly adsorbents has become increasingly important for treating waste generated by the growing global industry. In this study, new biosorbents were synthesized from an all-natural chitosan and watermelon pulp for the treatment of congo red textile dye from water. Biosorbents were prepared by lyophilizing chitosan-added watermelon pulp (AC-WPC). The prepared biosorbents were characterized by BET, SEM, Zeta Potential and FT-IR analysews. Accordingly, the BET surface area of AC-WPC was 120.92 m 2 /g. SEM analysis showed that the structures were porous and the results were consistent with the BET analysis. FT-IR analysis confirmed the chemical structures. The isoelectric points of the biosorbents were determined by zeta potential analysis. The AC-WPC biosorbent demonstrated 86% cell viability with cytotoxicity testing. For this reason, it was determined that the AC-WPC biosorbents produced does not cause any serious damage to the cell. Following this, adsorption study of congo red textile dye in water was carried out with these biosorbents. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were studied in adsorption experiments, and it was found that the Freundlich isotherms were compatible. Pseudo first and second kinetic models were also studied and found to be compatible with Pseudo Second Kinetic Model. The highest adsorption capacity was observed at 100 mg/l congo red concentration with 98.02% removal and 490.1 mg/g adsorption capacity using AC-WPC. It is thought that these results will potentially contribute to the literature on the removal of textile dyes or other pollutants using chitosan-added watermelon pulp., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Fruit peels have potential as prebiotic sources thanks to their dietary fiber contents. This study aimed to determine the effects of freeze-dried banana (BPP) and watermelon (WPP) peel powders on bile salt resistance, growth kinetics, and survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. In the presence of 0.5-1% bile salt, L. plantarum counts were 0.52-1.13 log CFU/mL higher in MRS broth added with 5% peel powder than without peel powder. Lactobacillus acidophilus population was 2.47-2.79 log CFU/mL higher in MRS broth added with 5% peel powder than without peel powder in the presence of 0.5% bile salt. Both peel powders did not affect the growth kinetics of L. acidophilus in milk. Conversely, the growth of L. plantarum was promoted in milk supplemented with peel powders and yielded a shorter generation time (P < 0.05). The maximum population density of L. plantarum in milk supplemented with BPP (8.68 log CFU/mL) was higher than in milk without peel powder (7.72 log CFU/mL; P < 0.05). Survival of L. acidophilus improved during storage at 4 °C in milk added with peel powders. The results suggest that BPP and WPP can be functional ingredients in probiotic foods and may be used to improve the growth and survival of probiotic cultures., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

An eco-friendly hydrothermal method synthesized VS 2 nanosheets. Several spectroscopic and microscopic approaches (TEM) were used to characterize the produced VS 2 nanosheet microstructure. VS 2 , Chitosan, and nanocomposite were used to immobilize watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) urease. Optimization using the Response Surface Methodology and the Box-Behnken design yielded immobilization efficiencies of 65.23 %, 72.52 %, and 87.68 % for chitosan, VS 2 , and nanocomposite, respectively. The analysis of variance confirmed the mathematical model's validity, enabling additional research. AFM, SEM, FTIR, Fluorescence microscopy, and Cary Eclipse Fluorescence Spectrometer showed urease conjugation to the matrix. During and after immobilization, FTIR spectra showed a dynamic connectivity of chemical processes and bonding. The nanocomposite outperformed VS 2 and chitosan in pH and temperature. Chitosan and VS 2 -immobilized urease were more thermally stable than soluble urease, but the nanocomposite-urease system was even more resilient. The nanocomposite retained 60 % of its residual activity after three months of storage. It retains 91.8 % of its initial activity after 12 reuse cycles. Nanocomposite-immobilized urease measured milk urea at 23.62 mg/dl. This result was compared favorably to the gold standard p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde spectrophotometric result of 20 mg/dl. The linear range is 5 to 70 mg/dl, with a LOD of 1.07 (±0.05) mg/dl and SD of less than 5 %. The nanocomposite's k sel coefficient for interferents was exceptionally low (k sel  < 0.07), indicating urea detection sensitivity. Watermelon urease is suitable for dairy sector applications due to its availability, immobilization on nanocomposite, and reuse., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The escalating use of pesticides on fruits and vegetables has raised concerns about potential health risks. Therefore, we developed a superhydrophilic resin/graphene oxide (SR/GO) with rich adsorption interactions using an eco-friendly synthetic approach. SR/GO demonstrated excellent hydrophilicity, ensuring optimal contact with aqueous sample matrices. The multiple adsorption interactions, including π-π conjugation, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic adsorption, facilitated multi-pesticide residue co-extraction. The synthesized SR/GO was applied to a miniaturized centrifugation-accelerated pipette-tip extraction method, coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography. The optimized method exhibited low consumption (15.0 mg adsorbent), and high efficiency, with low detection limits (1.4-2.9 ng g -1 ) and high recoveries (75.3-113.0%). Water-compatible SR/GO, along with a miniaturized extraction process, showcases a potent analytical approach for pesticide residue analysis in fruits and vegetables. The significance of this method lies in its ability to ensure agricultural and food safety by using a low-cost and efficient multi-pesticide residue analytical strategy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The improper storage of seeds can potentially compromise agricultural productivity, leading to reduced crop yields. Therefore, assessing seed viability before sowing is of paramount importance. Although numerous techniques exist for evaluating seed conditions, this research leveraged hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology as an innovative, rapid, clean, and precise nondestructive testing method. The study aimed to determine the most effective classification model for watermelon seeds. Initially, purchased watermelon seeds were segregated into two groups: One underwent sterilization in a dehydrator machine at 40°C for 36 h, whereas the other batch was stored under favorable conditions. Watermelon seeds' spectral images were captured using an HSI with a charge-coupled device camera ranging from 400 to 1000 nm, and the segmented regions of all samples were measured. Preprocessing techniques and wavelength selection methods were applied to manage spectral data workload, followed by the implementation of a support vector machine (SVM) model. The initial hybrid-SVM model achieved a predictive accuracy rate of 100%, with a test set accuracy of 92.33%. Subsequently, an artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization was introduced to enhance model precision. The results indicated that, with kernel parameters (c, g) set at 13.17 and 0.01, respectively, and a runtime of 4.19328 s, the training and evaluation of the dataset achieved an accuracy rate of 100%. Hence, it was practical to utilize HSI technology combined with the PCA-ABC-SVM model to detect different watermelon seeds. As a result, these findings introduce a novel technique for accurately forecasting seed viability, intended for use in agricultural industrial multispectral imaging. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The traditional methods for determining the condition of seeds primarily emphasize aesthetics, rely on subjective assessment, are time-consuming, and require a lot of labor. On the other hand, HSI technology as green technology was employed to alleviate the aforementioned problems. This work significantly contributes to the field of industrial multispectral imaging by enhancing the capacity to discern various types of seeds and agricultural crop products., (© 2024 Institute of Food Technologists.)

Enhancing the kinetic performance of thick electrodes is essential for improving the efficiency of lithium extraction processes. Biochar, known for its affordability and unique three-dimensional (3D) structure, is utilized across various applications. In this study, we developed a biochar-based, 3D-conductive network thick electrode (∼20 mg cm -2 ) by in-situ deposition of LiFePO 4 (LFP) onto watermelon peel biomass (WB). Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations complemented by experimental data, we confirmed that this The thick electrode exhibits outstanding kinetic properties and a high capacity for lithium intercalation in brines, even in environments where the Magnesia-lithium ratios are significantly high. The electrode showed an impressive intercalation capacity of 30.67 mg g -1 within 10 min in a pure lithium solution. It also maintained high intercalation performance (31.17 mg g -1 ) in simulated brines with high Magnesia-lithium ratios. Moreover, in actual brine, it demonstrated a significant extraction capacity (23.87 mg g -1 ), effectively lowering the Magnesia-lithium ratio from 65 to 0.50. This breakthrough in high-conductivity thick electrode design offers new perspectives for lithium extraction technologies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing interest The authors declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted entitled “Biochar-Enhanced Three-Dimensional Conductive Network Thick Electrodes for Efficient Lithium Extraction from Salt Lake Brines with High Mg(2+)/Li + Ratios”., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Topical consumer interest in natural, healthier, safer and nutritional juice, has inspired the search for innovative technologies that can minimize product degradation. In this regard, thermosonication has been proposed as a potential processing technology that can preserve and produce "fresh" products. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice is a nutrient-rich fruit juice that is desired by consumers due to its appealing color, pleasant odor, sweet taste and low-calorie content. This fruit juice is, however, highly perishable and prone to microorganisms, because of its neutral pH value and high amount of water activity. In addition, it is thermo-sensitive and therefore degrades quickly under thermal processing. This study aimed to identify the optimal thermosonication processing conditions for retaining the critical quality parameters (lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid and total polyphenolic content) of watermelon juice. Response surface methodology, employing a central composite design, was used to determine the effects of temperature (18-52 °C), processing time (2-13 min) and amplitude level (24-73 μm) at a constant frequency of 25 kHz. The highest quality parameters were obtained at 25 °C, 2 min, and 24 µm at a constant frequency of 25 kHz, which resulted in lycopene of 8.10 mg/100 g, β-carotene of 0.19 mg/100 g, ascorbic acid of 3.11 mg/100 g and total polyphenolic content of 23.96 mg/GAE/g with a desirability of 0.81. The proposed model was adequate (p < 0.0001), with a satisfactory determination coefficient (R 2 ) of less than 0.8 for all phytochemicals. Thermosonicated watermelon juice samples showed minimal changes in their phytochemical properties, when compared to fresh juices; the lycopene content showed a significant increase after thermosonication, and a significant retention of β-carotene, ascorbic acid and total polyphenolic acid was observed. According to the findings, thermosonication could be a viable method for preserving watermelon juice, with minimal quality loss and improved functional attributes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Regarding the importance of the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and higher consumption of salt among the Iranian population than the level recommended by the World Health Organization, the aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the salt mentioned in the traffic light labelling of nuts and seeds. Study Design: A cross-sectional study., Methods: A total of 53 packaged nuts and seeds, including 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, and 10 samples of pumpkin, pistachios, almond, sunflower, peanut, and watermelon nuts and seeds, respectively, with traffic light labelling, were randomly purchased from several local markets in Isfahan, Iran. The amount of sodium was measured by the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy technique and then multiplied by 2.5 to achieve the amount of salt., Results: Varying levels of traffic light labeling value accuracy were observed in most of the samples. In the almond, pistachio, peanut, and watermelon groups, the average amount of laboratory value had a statistically significant difference with the label value ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the salt content of 82% of the studied samples had discrepancies with the values stated on the traffic light labelling. The presentation of an accurate amount of salt content is essential for promoting healthy eating habits and enabling individuals to make informed choices about their diet. It is recommended that regulatory authorities should review labelling guidelines and enforce stricter compliance to ensure accurate representation of salt content on packaged foods., (© 2024 The Author(s); Published by Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.)

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) for remediation of various emerging contaminants have gained impetus during the last few decades. In the current study, watermelon (citrullus lanatus), a highly consumed seasonal fruit, was used as a feedstock waste biomass for biochar synthesis through valorization of watermelon rinds. The watermelon biochar (WM-BC) was synthesized through slow pyrolysis at 550°C under anoxic conditions. Langmuir model with R 2 >99, was found to best fit the adsorption isotherm, and the adsorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Various characterization tools including FTIR, SEM, BET, XRD, and TEM were used to evaluate the surface morphology of the biochar. The removal efficiency increased from 35% (dosage = 0.4 g), to 81% at WM-BC dosage of 2 g. A maximum adsorption capacity of 115.61 mg/g was found. The results from kinetic and isotherm model model suggested that the adsorption was favorable and multilayer adsorption can be considered. The adsorption mechanism was found to be governed by the co-existing factors such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and aromatic interactions. Results suggest that WM-BC has high potential to be employed as an adsorbent for efficient remediation of methylene blue dyes from aqueous solutions., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The present study compared pasteurized and reconstituted (from vacuum-concentrated) watermelon juices with sulfite use (∼40 mg/L) and acidification (pH = 4.2) to fresh watermelon juices. The products were evaluated for phenolics, free amino acids, carotenoids, sugars, organic acids, and alcohols by high-performance liquid chromatography-HPLC and the volatile profile by headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(HS-GC/MS). Pasteurization had no significant impact on most of the chemical components. Furthermore, it potentiated typical watermelon aromas (E,E)-2,6-nonadienal, (Z)-3-nonen-1-ol, 4-hexen-1-ol, (E,Z)-3,6-nonadien-1-ol, 6-amino-2-methyl-2-heptanol, (E)-6-nonenal, (E)-2-nonenal, pentanal, nonanal and 1-nonanol), without off-flavor compounds formation. On the other hand, the reconstituted juice showed reduced amino acids (serine, glutamine, and tryptophan), phenolics (epicatechin gallate, myricetin, and cis-resveratrol), carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, and violaxanthin) and most volatile compounds. Our results showed that sulfite and acidification could maintain watermelon juice's nutritional and quality parameters after pasteurization. The vacuum concentration and reconstitution processes negatively impacted the evaluated compounds. Our findings contribute to improving thermal processes in watermelon juices for better preservation of nutrients, flavor, and bioactive compounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Diabetes mellitus, recognized by elevated glucose level in the body fluids is commonly caused by less insulin production or its action. To overcome the complications of diabetes, chemical drugs are never preferred over herbal medicines. Present study was designed to find out the anti-diabetic and health-promoting effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus in induced-diabetic albino rats. Thirty male albino rats were bought from the animal house of the university and divided randomly into five feeding groups (n=6). Diabetes was induced in rats of groups A, B, C & D by a single dose of intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/Kg), whereas, the rats of group E were considered as control. The rats of groups A, B & C were fed basal diet supplemented with plant extracts (150mg/Kg body weight), whereas; only basal diet was offered to rats of groups D & E. After 28 days of the experiment, blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Results revealed that body weight, glucose, AST, ALB, GGT, HDL, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and creatinine level differed significantly among treatment groups. It was therefore concluded that ethanolic leaf extracts of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus can be used separately or in combination for the management of diabetes.

A fundamental step in improving the quality and consumer acceptability of wild watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) is the process of juice clarification. The aim of this research was to investigate the physicochemical properties of crude wild watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) juice and to optimise the processing conditions, incubation time, incubation temperature and enzyme concentration for the enzymatic clarification of the crude juice. Crude wild watermelon juice samples were treated with pectinase enzyme in different concentrations (0.05 to 0.15 w/w%), at different incubation temperatures (30-50  o C) and for different incubation durations (60-180 min). The effects of the different treatments on turbidity, clarity, viscosity, lightness, and brix were determined. The response models adequately predicted turbidity, clarity, and viscosity at R 2  > 0.5, but not lightness considering that R 2  < 0.5. The model was statistically significant in predicting turbidity (R 2  = 0.86), clarity (R 2  = 0.81), viscosity (R 2  = 0.97) and brix (R 2  = 0.94) - but not lightness (R 2  = 0.24) at p < 0.05. The enzyme concentration did not significantly affect turbidity, clarity, and lightness, but it did significantly affect brix positively (p < 0.05). Response surface methodology software was used to determine optimal clarification conditions. In conclusion, the optimum conditions for crude watermelon juice clarification were 0.15 w/w% enzyme concentration, 60 min incubation time and 60 o C incubation temperature. The optimum output parameters were 14.18 NTU for turbidity, 0.04 Abs for clarity, 52.30 L* value for lightness, 1.96 cps for viscosity and 3.08% for Brix., Competing Interests: DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTSThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a fruit widely consumed by the Brazilian population; however, its rind is usually discarded, despite its nutritional value. This work aimed to develop a watermelon rind flour (WRF) and a fiber-rich bread. The WRF was submitted to microbiological analysis, proximate composition, antioxidant activity, and a profile of phenolic compounds. Six types of bread were developed: three using WRF (20%, 30%, and 40% of wheat flour replacement) and three control samples (only wheat flour), which were submitted to the same analysis, in addition to colorimetric properties, instrumental texture profile, and sensory evaluation (check-all-that-apply, purchase intent, and acceptance test). A high fiber content was observed in WRF (27.15%). The total concentration of phenolic compounds was 2.38 ± 0.20 mg of gallic acid equivalent per g and benzoic acid was the main compound found (73.50 mg/100 g WRF). The results of the antioxidant capacity through the DPPH method indicated a 30% reduction. The WRF 40% bread had 3.06 g of insoluble fiber, characterizing itself as a source of fiber. In the instrumental texture analysis, it was observed that bread hardness increased significantly as the WRF content increased. The formulation of the bread containing WRF is an alternative for the use of waste, favoring the development of a fiber-source product, with a functional food claim., (© 2023 Institute of Food Technologists.)

Endothelial dysfunction is commonly associated with a cardiovascular event, such as myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction is marked by an ischemia/reperfusion (IR) phenomenon associated with endothelial dysfunction, contributing even more to future cardiovascular events. Although the supplementation with L-citrulline and nitrate from watermelon and beetroot have been used to improve vascular function, the effect of microencapsulated watermelon rind (WR) or its co-ingestion with beetroot (WR + B) on endothelial IR injury has not been addressed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a single dose of WR and WR + B on IR-induced macro-and microvascular dysfunction. In a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study, 12 volunteers underwent macro (flow-mediated dilation) and microvascular (muscle oxygen saturation) assessment and blood collection (to measure L-citrulline, L-arginine, nitrate and nitrite) before and after 20 min of blood occlusion in WR, WR + B and placebo conditions. Prolonged ischemia induced endothelial dysfunction in the macro but not in the microvasculature. The WR and WR + B supplementation significantly restored FMD after IR injury compared to the placebo ( p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between WR and WR + B in the macrovascular function ( p > 0.05). Plasma L-citrulline, L-arginine, nitrate, and nitrite significantly increased ( p > 0.05) after WR and WR + B supplementation compared to the placebo. A single dose of WR and WR + B effectively minimizes IR-induced macrovascular endothelial dysfunction in healthy individuals. Beetroot co-ingestion with watermelon did not provide an additional effect of endothelial dysfunction induced by IR (NCT04781595, March 4, 2021).

Watermelon frost, a traditional Chinese medicine produced using watermelon and Glauber's salt, has been widely used for the therapy of oral and throat disorders. Watermelon contains various phytochemical compounds including cucurbitacins and their glycoside derivatives, which have attracted considerable attention because of their medicinal values. However, whether the composition of cucurbitacins existed in watermelon frost was rarely reported. In this study, three cucurbitacins including cucurbitacin B, isocucurbitacin B, and cucurbitacin E were found from watermelon frost extract assisted by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking guided strategy, and the compounds were verified using standard solutions. Furthermore, a quantification method for simultaneously targeted analysis of cucurbitacins was established using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry operating in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Among them, cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E in watermelon frost samples were determined, and the concentrations were 3.78 ± 0.18 and 0.86 ± 0.19 ng/ml, respectively. While isocucurbitacin B was not detected due to the lower content possibly. In conclusion, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with molecular networking is a very useful technique for the rapid identification of unknown cucurbitacin components in watermelon frost., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a simple method to evaluate autonomic function in health and disease. A reduction in HRV may indicate autonomic dysfunction and is strongly associated with aspects of cardiometabolic disease, including hyperglycemia. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is also implicated in the development of cardiometabolic disease and autonomic dysfunction. Watermelons are natural sources of L-arginine and L-citrulline, substrates used for NO synthesis. Watermelon consumption can improve NO bioavailability. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial to test the effects of 2 weeks of daily watermelon juice (WMJ) supplementation on HRV in response to an oral glucose challenge (OGC) in healthy young adults. We also performed indirect calorimetry to assess if our intervention altered the metabolic response to the OGC. WMJ supplementation preserved high-frequency power (HF) (treatment effect, p = 0.03) and the percentage of successive differences that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50) (treatment effect, p = 0.009) when compared to the placebo treatment. There was no difference in resting energy expenditure or substate oxidation according to treatment. We report that WMJ supplementation attenuates OGC-induced reductions in HRV. Future work should emphasize the importance of NO bioavailability in autonomic dysfunction in cardiometabolic disease.

Background/objectives: Watermelon rind (usually discarded by consumers) presents a high L-citrulline content. Given that Lcitrulline is involved in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, a crucial molecule that regulates vascular function, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated watermelon rind (MWR) on endothelial function and tissue oxygen saturation (StO 2 ) assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Plasma L-arginine and L-citrulline were also evaluated., Subject/methods: Eleven participants ingested 30 g of MWR (containing 4 g of L-citrulline) and a placebo. Before and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after ingestion, StO 2 parameters were assessed, whereas FMD and plasma amino acids were analyzed 60 and 120 min after ingestion., Results: The FMD improved 60 min after MWR without changes in StO 2 parameters. Absolute plasma L-citrulline and relative change from baseline in plasma L-arginine increased 60 min after MWR ingestion., Conclusion: A single dose of microencapsulated watermelon rind containing 4 g of L-citrulline seems adequate to improve FMD response, but not StO 2 parameters in healthy adults. (NCT04781595)., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

In this study, the trend of VOCs of dietary fiber samples, coming from three different watermelon cultivars Citrullus lanatus L. (variety Gavina ®® , Crimson Sweet , and Asahi Miyako ) was investigated. This foodstuff, obtained as a by-product of residual agri-food production, has gained increasing attention because of its many bioactive components and high dietary fiber content. The result is a fibrous material for specific applications in food manufacturing, such as corrector for some functional and technological properties. In this study, a method based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to characterize the aromatic profiles of the dried raw materials. Therefore, the VOCs of the samples of the three cultivars were investigated. Experimental results have shown that watermelon fibers generate VOCs, which can be grouped into six common classes of analytes. The different distributions of the identified compounds made it possible to effectively differentiate the three cultivars studied based on their peculiar aroma profiles. In particular, Gavina ®® fiber is distinguished by the high content of terpenes, Asahi Miyako by the presence of aldehydes generated as fatty acid metabolites, and Crimson Sweet by the higher content of acetyl esters.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) belongs to the ground family, Cucurbitaceae, known for edible fruit. Besides nutritional benefits, the traditional herbal practitioners in Pakistan and India used their seeds to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary disorders. In Northern Sudan, its seeds are often used as a laxative. Its root is laxative and emetic at a high dose. Its seeds are also used to treat bedwetting and urinary tract obstruction., Aim of the Study: This study aimed to elucidate the multi-target mechanisms of Citrullus lanatus seeds to treat asthma and diarrhea. The pharmacological experiments were designed and conducted, along with the pharmacology network and molecular docking predictions, to verify the seeds biopotency for antispasmodic and bronchodilator properties., Methods: LC ESI-MS/MS were performed to identify the potentially active compounds in hydroethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seeds, then to quantify them by HPLC. The quantified bioactive compounds of Citrullus lanatus, i.e., stigmasterol, quinic acid, malic acid, epicatechin, caffeic acid, rutin, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, scopoletin, apigenin, and kaempferol were subjected to in silico studies for molecular docking. The hydroethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seeds was examined on isolated rabbit tissue, i.e., jejunum, trachea, and urinary bladder. The antiperistalsis, antidiarrheal and antisecretory studies were also performed in animal models., Results: In silico studies revealed that bioactive compounds of C. lanatus seeds interfere with asthma and diarrhea-associated target genes, which are a member of calcium mediate signaling, regulation of cytosolic calcium concentration, smooth muscle contraction, and inflammatory responses. It was also found that rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and scopoletin were stronger binding to voltage-gated calcium channels, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, myosin light chain kinase, and phosphoinositide phospholipase C, thus, exerting calcium channel blocker activity. The hydroethanolic extract of C. lanatus seeds exerted a concentration-dependent relaxant response for the spasmolytic response on isolated jejunum and trachea preparations and caused relaxation of spastic contraction of K + (80 mM). Furthermore, it caused a non-parallel rightward shift with suppression of calcium concentration-response curves. In animal models, the Cl.EtOH showed antiperistalsis, antidiarrheal and antisecretory response., Conclusion: Thus, we confirm Citrullus lanatus seeds have some medicinal effects by regulating the contractile response through target proteins of calcium mediates signaling and can be a promising component in the medical treatment for asthma and diarrhea., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The amino acid L-arginine is crucial for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, an important molecule regulating vascular tone. Considering that vascular dysfunction precedes cardiovascular disease, supplementation with precursors of NO synthesis (e.g., L-arginine) is warranted. However, supplementation of L-citrulline is recommended instead of L-arginine since most L-arginine is catabolized during its course to the endothelium. Given that L-citrulline, found mainly in watermelon, can be converted to L-arginine, watermelon supplementation seems to be effective in increasing plasma L-arginine and improving vascular function. Nonetheless, there are divergent findings when investigating the effect of watermelon supplementation on vascular function, which may be explained by the L-citrulline dose in watermelon products. In some instances, offering a sufficient amount of L-citrulline can be impaired by the greater volume (>700 mL) of watermelon needed to reach a proper dose of L-citrulline. Thus, food technology can be applied to reduce the watermelon volume and make supplementation more convenient. Therefore, this narrative review aims to discuss the current evidence showing the effects of watermelon ingestion on vascular health parameters, exploring the critical relevance of food technology for acceptable L-citrulline content in these products. Watermelon-derived L-citrulline appears as a supplementation that can improve vascular function, including arterial stiffness and blood pressure. Applying food technologies to concentrate bioactive compounds in a reduced volume is warranted so that its ingestion can be more convenient, improving the adherence of those who want to ingest watermelon products daily.

Watermelon rind is treated as agricultural waste, causing biomass loss and environmental issues. This study aimed to identify free amino acids and volatiles in watermelon rind, flesh, and rind-flesh juice blends with ratios of 10%, 20%, and 30%. Among the 16 free amino acids quantified, watermelon rind alone contained higher total amino acids (165 mg/100 g fresh weight) compared to flesh alone (146 mg/100 g). The rind had significantly higher (1.5×) and dominant amounts of citrulline and arginine (61.4 and 53.8 mg/100 g, respectively) than flesh. The rind, however, contained significantly lower amounts of essential amino acids. Volatile analysis showed that watermelon rind total volatiles (peak area) comprised only 15% of the flesh volatiles. Of the 126 volatiles identified, the rind alone contained 77 compounds; 56 of these presented in all five samples. Aldehydes and alcohols were most prevalent, accounting for >80% of the total volatiles in all samples. Nine-carbon aldehyde and alcohol compounds dominated both the flesh and rind, though the rind lacked the diversity of other aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, terpenes, terpenoids, esters and lactones that were more abundant in the watermelon flesh. Watermelon rind was characterized by the major aroma compounds above their thresholds, including 17 aldehydes and six unsaturated nine-carbon alcohols. This study demonstrated the potential for rind as a food or beverage supplement due to its key features such as concentrated citrulline and arginine, relatively low odor intensity, and valuable volatiles associated with fresh, green, cucumber-like aromas.

Reusing food waste is becoming popular in pharmaceutical industries. Watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) rind is commonly discarded as a major solid waste. Here, the in vitro cytotoxic potential of watermelon rind extracts was screened against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Cell cycle analysis was used to determine the induction of cell death, whereas annexin V-FITC binding, caspase-3, BAX, and BCL-2 mRNA expression levels were used to determine the degree of apoptosis. VEGF-promoting angiogenesis and cell migration were also evaluated. Moreover, the identification of phytoconstituents in the rind extract was achieved using UPLC/T-TOF-MS/MS, and a total of 45 bioactive compounds were detected, including phenolic acids, flavonoids aglycones, and their glycoside derivatives. The tested watermelon rind extracts suppressed cell proliferation in seven cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity of the rind aqueous extract (RAE) was higher compared with that of the other extracts. In addition to a substantial inhibitory effect on cell migration, the RAE triggered apoptosis in HCT116 and Hep2 cells by driving the accumulation of cells in the S phase and elevating the activity of caspase-3 and the BAX/BCL-2 ratio. Thus, a complete phytochemical and cytotoxic investigation of the Citrullus lanatus rind extract may identify its potential potency as an anticancer agent.

Ethnobotanical field surveys were carried out in the Tanawal area of the Lesser Himalayan Region, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Province from April 2016 to October 2017. The area is located between 34.36 (34° 21' 30 N) latitude and 73.07 (73° 4' 0 E) longitude with an average elevation of 1374 meters above sea level. Ethnomedicinal data were collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), and participants were selected through the snow-boll technique. Semi-structured, in-depth and open-ended interviews were conducted. The data were quantitatively evaluated using ethnomedicinal indices i.e. Relative frequency of citation (RFCs), Fidelity level (FL), and Use Value (UV). The ethnobotanical data were also comparatively analyzed through the Jaccard Index (JI). The study yielded 66 medicinal plants in 62 genera and 43 families. Asteraceae and Solanaceae were the most important families with five medicinal taxa each. Regarding medicinal plant part utilization, leaves (43.28%) were used predominantly, followed by whole plant (14.92%) and fruits (14.92%). Decoction was the main drug formulation applied to 21 species (31.15%) and the oral route was most common (56.1%) while 31.2% of medicinal plants were used for both oral and topical applications. Fifty health disorders were recorded and grouped in 15 categories. Maximum species were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders i.e. 13 species, dermal problems (12 species), and respiratory tract ailments (9). The calculated RFCs ranged between 81 to 31. The most important medicinal plants were Acacia modesta, Citrullus vulgaris, Tamarindus indica, and Momordica charantia with an RGFC of 81 each. The UV ranged between 0.58 and 3.6. Medicinal taxa with the highest UV were Dioscorea deltoidea (3.6), Withania coagulans (3.3), Momordica charantia (3.5), Silybum marianum and Pyrus pashia (3.2). FL values showed that 28 (41.79%) species had a FL value below 50 (74.62%) while 39 (58.20%) had higher FL values. Momordica charantia, Tamarindus indica, Acacia modesta and Citrullus vulgaris were 95.2 each. The Jaccard Index (JI) values ranged from16.77 to 0.98. The current study also reported 16 medicinal plants, commonly used around the globe, have been rarely documented for their medicinal values in the local ethnomedicinal literature i.e. Althaea officinalis, Plantanus orientalis, Jasminum sombac, Maytenus royleana, Cucurbita maxima, Phyllanthus emblica, Citrullus vulgaris. Polygonatum verticilliatum, Caseria tomentosa, Cistanche tubulosa, Bambusa arundinacea, Schinus molle, Tamarindus indica, Pongamia pinnata, Citrus limon and Catharanthus roseus. However, 48 medicinal plants had been reported in the literature but the current study reported their novel medicinal uses. Important taxa should be established in botanical gardens for in-situ conservation, chemical investigation and sustainable utilization. It would also be effective to improve the livelihoods of the local population., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The aim of the study was to evaluate emulsion systems prepared on the basis of blended fat in different ratios (watermelon seed oil and mutton tallow) stabilised by orange fibres and xanthan gum. Emulsions were subjected to stability testing by Turbiscan and were assessed in terms of mean droplet size, colour, viscosity, texture, skin hydration and sensory properties. The most stable systems were found to be the ones containing a predominance of mutton tallow in a fat phase. For these emulsions the lowest increase in mean particle size during storage was observed. The study also confirmed the synergistic effect of the thickeners used. The presented emulsions despite favourable physicochemical parameters, did not gain acceptance in sensory evaluation.

Sustainable wastewater treatment is one of the biggest issues of the 21st century. Metals such as Zn 2+ have been released into the environment due to rapid industrial development. In this study, dried watermelon rind (D-WMR) is used as a low-cost adsorption material to assess natural adsorbents' ability to remove Zn 2+ from synthetic wastewater. D-WMR was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). According to the results of the analysis, the D-WMR has two colours, white and black, and a significant concentration of mesoporous silica (83.70%). Moreover, after three hours of contact time in a synthetic solution with 400 mg/L Zn 2+ concentration at pH 8 and 30 to 40 °C, the highest adsorption capacity of Zn 2+ onto 1.5 g D-WMR adsorbent dose with 150 μm particle size was 25 mg/g. The experimental equilibrium data of Zn 2+ onto D-WMR was utilized to compare nonlinear and linear isotherm and kinetics models for parameter determination. The best models for fitting equilibrium data were nonlinear Langmuir and pseudo-second models with lower error functions. Consequently, the potential use of D-WMR as a natural adsorbent for Zn 2+ removal was highlighted, and error analysis indicated that nonlinear models best explain the adsorption data.

Hyperlipidemia is emerging as an important cause of adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular complications, obesity, metabolic disorders, and infertility. A total of twenty-five (25) male albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=5): Normal control, Hyperlipidemic control group which was administered (intra-peritoneal) with 0.2ml/10g body weight of egg yolk and then terminated after twenty-four (24) hours, Hyperlipidemic non-treated group which were administered with 0.2ml/10g body weight of egg yolk and were left throughout the treatment period. Hyperlipidemic low-dose treated group (administered 0.2ml/10g body weight of egg yolk, 800mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seed-MECLS), and Hyperlipidemic high-dose treated group (administered 0.2ml/10g body weight of egg yolk, and 1600mg/kg body weight of MECLS).  No significant change was observed in testosterone levels and sperm count across all groups. However, a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels was observed in Hyperlipidemic non-treated and Hyperlipidemic low-dose treated group when compared to Normal Control Group. They also showed marked testicular damage and significantly decreased (P<0.05) sperm cell motility and significantly increased sperm cell abnormalities. Hyperlipidemic low and high dose groups exhibited moderate and complete regeneration of testicular histo-architecture respectively. Furthermore, high dose treated group showed a significant decrease in sperm count, motility, LH and FSH levels. This study suggests that MECLS dose dependently ameliorates testicular damage induced by hyperlipidemia but may affect sperm cell characteristics.

The work aims at the production and formulation of plant-based nutritionally enriched butter-like spread products using chia seed, sesame seed, watermelon seed, and pumpkin seed in different ratios, with incorporation of olive oil. The formulated spread butters COB (chia + olive oil), CSOB (chia + sesame + olive oil), CWOB (chia + watermelon + olive oil), and CPOB (chia + pumpkin + olive oil) are of superior quality due to its antioxidant and nutrient content. The antioxidant property of all the formulated spread butter is characterized by total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and FRAP assay and the results indicated that CSOB has the highest TPC value of 68.73 ± 0.01 µg GAE/ml and CWOB has the highest DPPH and FRAP activity of 52.30 ± 0.01% and 51.01 ± 0.01 µg of AAE/ml, respectively. The physicochemical properties of all the formulated butter was also analyzed via acid value, peroxide value, and totox value and the results were satisfactory with CPOB having the lowest Totox value of 2.25 ± 0.01. Functional properties of the spread butter are also investigated and the results were satisfactory. All the formulated butters are medicinally and nutritionally beneficial, and it can be used as an alternative to the conventional one.

Watermelon is extensively consumed fruit across the globe. However, limited is known about interactive effect of nitrogen (N) and boron (B) nutrition on pomological, yield and fruit quality attributes of grafted watermelon. This two-year study tested the influence of different N and B doses on pomological, yield and fruit quality attributes of grafted watermelon under field conditions in Çukurova plains of Turkey. Four different N (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) and two B doses (0 and 2 kg ha-1 B) were tested. The individual and interactive effects of N and B significantly altered pomological, yield and fruit quality attributes during both years. Overall, application of 270 kg ha-1 N and 2 kg ha-1 B improved yield, pomological and fruit quality attributes during both years. The highest values for yield, main stem length, stem diameter, fruit weight, fruit width, number nodes and branches per stem were recorded for 270 kg ha-1 N during both years. However, rind thickness was not altered by N application. Similarly, the highest values for quality attributes such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, citric acid, tartaric acid and ascorbic acid were noted for 270 kg ha-1 N during both years. Interestingly, no N application and 90 kg ha-1 N recorded the highest values of maleic acid during both years. The highest values of rind thickness, fruit length, fruit width and fruit weight were noted for 2 kg ha-1 B during both years, while B application had no effect on main stem length, main stem diameter, number of nodes and number of branches. Regarding N by B interactions, 180 and 270 kg ha-1 N with both B doses observed the highest values for yield, pomological and quality attributes during each year. These results indicate that N has significant contribution towards yield, pomological attributes and fruit quality of grafted watermelon. Therefore, N should be applied at the rate of 270 kg ha-1 for better yield, pomological attributes and fruit quality. Nonetheless, where necessary grafted watermelon should be fertilized with 2 kg ha-1 B for better fruit quality and pomological attributes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Turkey ranks second in watermelon (Citrullus lunatus L.) production globally and the highest production is witnessed for Çukurova plains the country. Although watermelon is extensively cultivated in the Çukurova region, studies on optimum nitrogen (N) and boron (B) doses for watermelon cultivation are quite limited. This study, evaluated the impact of increasing N (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) and B (0 and 2 kg ha-1 B) doses on nutrient uptake in rind (exocarp) and flesh (endocarp) of watermelon fruit. Grafted watermelon variety 'Starburst', widely cultivated in the region was used as experimental material. The concentrations of different macro and micronutrients were analyzed from fruit rind and flesh. Individual and interactive effect of N and B doses significantly altered macro and micronutrients' uptake in rind and flesh. Higher amounts of macro and micronutrients were accumulated in rind than flesh. Nutrients' uptake was increased with increasing N doses, whereas B had limited impact. The accumulated nutrients were within the safe limits for human consumption. The N concentrations of rind and flesh increased with increasing N dose. Similarly, B concentration in rind and flesh and N concentration in rind significantly increased, while N concentration in flesh decreased with B application. It was concluded that 270 kg ha-1 N and 2 kg ha-1 B are optimum for better nutrient uptake in watermelon fruit. Thus, these doses must be used for watermelon cultivation in Çukurova plains of the country., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

In the present study, mupirocin (MP), an antimicrobial agent, was formulated as a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) by using a novel method named as melt emulsion ultrafiltration method. For the formulation of NLC, glyceryl monostearate and watermelon seed oil were used as solid and liquid lipids, respectively. The method was optimized for various parameters by Taguchi design of experiment and prepared NLCs were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), shape, zeta potential, % drug loading, and in vitro release profile. The optimized NLCs were found to be smooth, monodisperse with PDI 0.229 ± 0.093. NLCs were found to have an average particle size of 139 ± 0.75 nm and +21.9 ± 0.98 mV as zeta potential. The % drug loading of optimized NLCs was found to be 59% ± 0.13%. The optimized NLCs were able to release the drug up to 24 h. The release kinetic study revealed mixed-order kinetics. Hence, it was concluded that the novel method is simple and able to fabricate MP-loaded NLCs with sustained release property and being stable in terms of particle size, PDI, and % drug loading.

Polypyrrole magnetic microspheres were synthesized and used to extract carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl before analysis by a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Under optimal conditions, four times the preconcentration was achieved with the use of only 1.2 mL of sample. Good linearity with ranges of 3.0-7.5 × 10 3 , 6.0-4.5 × 10 3 , and 15-3.0 × 10 3  ng kg -1 and limits of detection of 1.37 ± 0.10, 4.7 ± 1.2, and 10.1 ± 5.7 ng kg -1 were obtained, respectively. Good reproducibility (RSDs < 5%) was achieved over 24 cycles of extraction and regeneration. Good accuracy (recoveries 81.6 ± 1.5%-108.3 ± 2.2%) and good precision (RSDs 0.11%-4.5%) were obtained. Carbaryl was detected in apple (2.75 ± 0.23 ng kg -1 ), carbofuran in tomato (11.34 ± 0.61 ng kg -1 ), and methomyl in watermelon (34.7 ± 1.7 ng kg -1 ). The relative expanded uncertainty of the measurement method was less than 14% for all three pesticides., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Watermelon flesh is widely consumed for its appealing flavor and refreshing properties, though the rind of the fruit also has traits of interest, especially its nutritional benefits. This study aimed to determine if watermelon flesh blended with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% w/w rind could appeal to consumers, and the effect of rind on the refreshing perception was investigated. Consumers (n = 102) evaluated the liking and intensity levels of overall flavor, sweet, sour, green, watermelon flavor, and refreshing quality along with questions regarding the texture, off flavors, and aftertaste of the samples. The addition of rind was acceptable up to the 20% rind level, which was given an overall rating above the midpoint of the scale, while the 10% and 0% rind samples did not differ significantly (P < 0.001). Overall liking most strongly correlated with sweet liking (r = 0.78, P < 0.001) and watermelon flavor liking (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). Refreshing liking most strongly correlated with watermelon flavor liking (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) and decreased with addition of rind in the samples (P < 0.001). The excessive green notes, off flavors, and undesirable texture of rind decreased the hedonic and refreshing ratings of samples with 20% and 30% rind, respectively. This research demonstrated the acceptability of using up to 20% rind to supplement watermelon juice blends and results suggested that watermelon flavor drives the refreshing perception. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These findings exhibit the diversity in consumer preferences for watermelon flesh blended with rind using a consumer test. The refreshing properties of watermelon flesh as related to sweetness and watermelon flavor, along with the flavor and mouthfeel attributes contributed by watermelon rind, are highlighted. Manufacturers of fruit-based beverages can apply this research to inform development of refreshing products, watermelon flavored products, or products that utilize rind waste., (© 2021 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of maltodextrin (MD) combination with gum arabic (GA), and whey protein isolate (WPI) on the microencapsulation of gurum seeds oil by a spray-drying method. Three formulations of protein-based (PB) (WPI: MD, 2:1), carbohydrate-based (CHOB) (GA: MD, 2:1), and mixed (MIX) (WPI: GA: MD, 1:1:1) wall materials were designed. The moisture content and water activity were in the range of 1.65-3.67% and 0.17-0.31, respectively, which is suitable for long-term storage. The best results were achieved when gurum seed oil was microencapsulated with carbohydrate-based, where it had the highest microencapsulation yield (92.80%) and microencapsulation efficiency (97.38%). Carbohydrate-based showed the highest relative crystallinity (32.25%) and the temperature of the glass transition (58.20 °C). FT-IR revealed that the oil was well encapsulated in the microcapsules. SEM of microcapsules showed spherical shapes without any apparent cracking on the surfaces. During the oxidative stability study, carbohydrate-based microencapsulation was the wall material that best protected the active materials against lipid oxidation., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Kgengwe fruits are commonly consumed in sub-Saharan countries. Recent reports indicated low coronary artery disease rates in those regions. To investigate anti-atherogenic properties and potential mechanisms of action of Kgengwe seed powder (KSP), male low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDL-r-KO) mice were fed with an atherogenic diet supplemented with (treated, n = 10) or without (controls, n = 10) 10% ( w / w ) KSP for 20 weeks. Proximate analysis revealed that KSP contained 38% fibre and 15% lipids. KSP supplementation was not associated with significant changes in body weight gain rate, food intake, and plasma lipid levels. However, the average atherosclerotic lesion size in the aortic roots in the KSP-treated group was 58% smaller than that in the control group (0.26 vs 0.11 mm 2 , p  < 0.05). This strong anti-atherogenic effect was associated with significant increases in the average plasma levels of certain cytokines such as IL-10 (6 vs 13 pg/mL, p  < 0.05), GM-CSF (0.1 vs 0.2 pg/mL, p  < 0.05), and EPO (7 vs 16 pg/mL, p  < 0.05) along with reductions in the average levels of plasma MCP-1 (19 vs 14 pg/mL, p  < 0.05) and MIP-2 (28 vs 13 pg/mL, p  < 0.05). Except for relatively high levels of saturated fatty acids, KSP possesses balanced nutrient compositions with strong anti-atherogenic properties, which may be mediated through alterations in inflammatory pathways. Additional studies warrant confirmation and mechanism(s) of action of such effects. Novelty: Kgengwe seeds prevent atherogenesis in LDL-r-KO mice. Kgengwe seeds increase circulating levels of IL-10 and EPO. No reduction in plasma total cholesterol levels.

The anti-cancer activities of many fermented foods and beverages are now scientifically established. Ogiri-egusi is a condiment prepared from fermentation of Citrullus vulgaris (melon) seeds and consumed in many countries of West Africa. Its anti-oxidative and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties have been reported. This study investigated the anti-cancer activities of the aqueous and methanolic extracts from ogiri-egusi . Cytotoxicity was investigated using the MTT and colony-formation inhibition assays while flow-cytometer based Apopercentage assay was used to quantify apoptosis in extracts-treated cervical and liver cancer and normal human fibroblast cells. The inhibitory concentration responsible for killing 50% of cells after 24   h by the aqueous extract in KMST-6, HeLa, and Hep-G2 cells were estimated at 1.610, 1.020, and 1.507   mg/mL respectively. While these values reduced with increasing incubation time in cancer cells it increased in the non-cancer cell. Furthermore, the extract significantly induced apoptosis in HeLa (97   ±   0.18%) and Hep-G2 (73   ±   6.73%) cells. These findings were corroborated by cells morphologic presentations and inhibition of colony formation assay. These findings suggest that the aqueous extract from fermented Citrullus vulgaris seeds might be a nutraceutical with potential anti-cancer properties.

Dementia and related conditions disturb the ability to perform routine life activities prohibiting a person from making appropriate decisions. Seeds of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus have been investigated extensively for various pharmacological properties; hence, considering the presence of bioactive compounds, it was assumed that these seed extracts may support the functioning of the central nervous system. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the short-term and long-term memory-enhancing effects of C. melo and C. lanatus seed extracts in mice by the Morris water maze (spatial learning and memory), stationary rod test, and passive avoidance tests (fear-motivated tests). Ethanol extract of both seeds were prepared by standard procedure and given to animals in the doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg. The results were compared to standard drugs diazepam and imipramine given in the doses of 3 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Extracts of both the seeds were found to possess significant memory and cognition-enhancing effects in mice when tested by passive avoidance, stationary rod, and water maze tests. Results demonstrate memory and cognition-enhancing effects of these extracts which may be due to the presence of bioactive compounds in these seeds., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Shahana Wahid et al.)

Watermelon ( Citrulus lantus ) is an important horticultural crop which belongs to the Curcubitaceae family. The nutraceutical potential of watermelon has been illustrated by several researchers, which makes it a better choice of functional food. Watermelon has been used to treat various ailments, such as cardio-vascular diseases, aging related ailments, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, and various types of cancers. The medicinal properties of watermelon are attributed by the presence of important phytochemicals with pharmaceutical values such as lycopene, citrulline, and other polyphenolic compounds. Watermelon acts as vital source of l-citrulline, a neutral-alpha amino acid which is the precursor of l-arginine, an essential amino acid necessary for protein synthesis. Supplementation of l-citrulline and lycopene displayed numerous health benefits in in vitro and in vivo studies. Similarly, the dietary intake of watermelon has proven benefits as functional food in humans for weight management. Apart from the fruits, the extracts prepared from the seeds, sprouts, and leaves also evidenced medicinal properties. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of benefits of watermelon for the treatment of various ailments.

Watermelon seed, a watermelon processing industry by-product, is a good protein source for the preparation of antioxidant peptides due to its high protein content, low cost, special amino acid composition. Antioxidant hydrolysates obtained from watermelon seed protein (WSP) after slit divergent ultrasound (SDU) treatment were studied. The stepwise multiple linear regression model verified that the reducing power of watermelon seed protein hydrolysates (WSPHs) is positively related with -SH and β-turn content of WSP (R 2  = 0.931, p < 0.01). Using the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and reducing power as indicators, the WSPHs was prepared under the optimal conditions (ultrasound frequency: 20/28 kHz, time: 60 min, power density: 100 W/L) and divided into three components by ultrafiltration membrane (1 and 5 kDa). Compared with WSPHs and other fractions, WSPHs-I (Mw < 1 kDa) not only significantly protected HepG2 cells from H 2 O 2 -induced damage, but also greatly alleviated the liver injury caused by d-galactose in male SD rats., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to purify and identify antioxidant peptides from watermelon seed protein hydrolysates (WSPHs-I: Mw < 1 kDa) and further evaluate their cytoprotective effects against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. After purification by Sephadex G-15 and semi-preparative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), five peptides, RDPEER (P1), KELEEK (P2), DAAGRLQE (P3), LDDDGRL (P4), and GFAGDDAPRA (P5) were sequenced by LC-MS/MS and synthesized with solid-phase synthesis method. These peptides showed desirable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity (IC 50 : 0.216 ± 0.01-0.435 ± 0.03), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity (IC 50 : 0.54 ± 0.02-1.23 ± 0.03), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) (82.36 ± 1.2-130.67 ± 2.2 μM TE/mg). Among them, peptide P1 exhibited the strongest antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the results suggested that peptide P1 may protect HepG2 cells from H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage by significantly inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS), [Ca 2+ ]i, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing antioxidative enzyme activities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Selenium is one of the essential trace elements in the human body, and it plays a critical role in human health. In this work, 2.0 g melamine was placed in an alumina crucible, which was heated in a box-type resistance furnace for 2 h at 600 ℃, at the heating rate of 3 ℃/min, and then cooled to room temperature. After cooling, yellow graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) nanosheets were obtained. Subsequently, 500 mg of the nanosheets was dispersed in 50 mL water with ultrasonication for 10 h in order to remove the residual un-exfoliated g-C 3 N 4 nanoparticles and large-sized nanosheets. The obtained suspension was centrifuged at about 10000 r/min, followed by drying at 60 ℃ to produce g-C 3 N 4 . The prepared g-C 3 N 4 was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and field emission-environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Given that the selenium content in actual samples is very low, high sensitivity, and accuracy are imperative for selenium detection. The combination of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can greatly improve the sensitivity, accuracy, and speed of the analysis. A novel method based on CE-ICP-MS was established for the determination of selenourea (SeUr), L-selenocystine (SeCys 2 ), DL-selenomethionine (SeMet), selenite (Se(Ⅳ)), selenate (Se(Ⅵ)), and selenoethionine (SeEt) in watermelon. The selenium species in watermelon were extracted by ultrasonication with pepsin as an extractant and g-C 3 N 4 enrichment. The enrichment factor of g-C 3 N 4 ranged from 12 to 29. Six selenium species were completely separated within 11 min in a 100-cm-long capillary with 100 μm internal diameter, at an applied voltage of 22 kV, using a buffer solution of 8 mmol/L NaH 2 PO 4 -12 mmol/L H 3 BO 3 -0.2 mmol/L cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB; pH 9.2). The interference in the selenium detection was eliminated using a dynamic reaction cell with CH 4 . The linear correlation coefficients of all the selenium species were greater than 0.9995. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection (3 σ, σ for standard deviation, as Se) for SeUr, SeCys 2 , SeMet, Se(Ⅳ), Se(Ⅵ), and SeEt were 6.2, 30, 11, 8.2, 48, and 5.5 ng/L, respectively. The linear range (as Se) for SeUr, SeCys 2 , SeMet, Se(Ⅳ), Se(Ⅵ), and SeEt were 0.017-20 μg/L, 0.091-50 μg/L, 0.032-40 μg/L, 0.023-60 μg/L, 0.015-75 μg/L, and 0.015-30 μg/L, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 96.0% to 106%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs; n =5) were less than 3%. The developed method is simple, rapid, and sensitive, and it is also suitable for the detection of selenium species in other food and environmental samples.

Here, we studied the effects of inlet temperature on the physicochemical properties of the hydrolyzed protein (seed-watermelon seed hydrolyzed protein [SWSP]) powder in seed-watermelon seeds. The inlet temperature of the study was in the range of 150 to 180 °C, and the remaining experimental parameters remained constant, that is, the feed flow rate was 0.2 L/hr, the concentration of maltodextrin was 30%, and the outlet temperature was 80 °C. We studied the water activity and moisture content, bulk density, flowability (Carr index and Hausner ratio), angle of repose, solubility, color, hygroscopicity, powder morphology, particle size, crystallinity, and odor of the sample. Inlet temperature of 170 to 180 °C reduced the moisture content and increased the particle size. It was found that the value of measured water activity was less than 0.5, which helped in maintaining stability of the sample. Powders produced at the temperatures showed smoother particle surfaces, whereas higher inlet temperature showed spherical particles with some shrinkage as analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The inlet temperature affected the color of the sample, thus at high temperature, the sample had a brighter color. The sample was approximately 18% crystalline. At a preparation temperature of 160 °C, the sample showed significant antioxidant activity (P < 0.05)., (© 2020 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Changes of volatile flavor compounds of watermelon juice by heat treatment were investigated by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry. Although the major volatile compounds in watermelon juice, three aldehydes, three alcohols, and one ketone, did not increase significantly by heat treatment, dimethylsulfide and methional increased in heated juice. These two sulfides were suggested to contribute to the off-flavors in heated watermelon juice.

Trifluoromethyl covalent organic framework (CF 3 -COF) is facilely synthesized at room temperature using for solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The CF 3 -COF coating displays an improved extraction performance for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) comparing to amorphous polymer coating, non-contained fluorine covalent organic framework coating and commercially available SPME coating. The fluorine affinity of trifluoromethyl in CF 3 -COF for PFASs is demonstrated using the density functional theory calculation. Following the microextraction with CF 3 -COF-coated fiber, the targeted PFASs are eluted with 1 mL acetonitrile and quantified by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The low limits of detection are 0.1-0.7 pg g -1 for milk and 0.2-0.8 pg g -1 for milk powder, suggesting the outstanding sensitivity. The precision for the method ranges between 2.9 and 9.9%. The fiber-to-fiber repeatability is in the range of 4.2-9.5%. Under the optimum conditions, the relative recoveries are 91.0-110% with RSDs ≤ 10% for milk and 89.8-111% with RSDs ≤ 10% for milk powder., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Plant hormones (PHs) are a type of pesticide that can potentially affect human health. Therefore, their quantitative detection is particularly important. In this study, a green and economic method for the simultaneous extraction and determination of four PHs, namely thidiazuron, forchlorfenuron, 1-naphthylacetic acid, and 2-naphthoxyacetic acid, in watermelon juice was developed by using m-aminophenol-urea-glyoxal resin as the adsorbent for pipette tip solid phase extraction (PT-SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography. The resin was synthesized via a simple (one pot hydrothermal synthesis) and green (ethanol as the solvent and glyoxal as crosslinking agent) process. The synthesized resin possesses multiple functional groups (hydroxyl, amino, and imino, among others), high adsorption capacity, larger specific surface area than the urea-glyoxal resin and m-aminophenol-glyoxal resin, and can be regenerated easily. The PT-SPE device is simple, cheap, and easy to obtain, and the adsorbent dosage is only 5.0 mg. The proposed method has a wide linear detection range, high recovery, good precision, and high sensitivity, and satisfies the measurement requirements for detecting trace levels of PHs in fruits and vegetables., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the metabolic fate of bioactive components in watermelon and explore their effect on endothelial function. Six healthy overweight/obese (BMI: 28.7 ± 1.6 kg/m 2 ) adults received 100 kcal of watermelon flesh (WF), rind (WR), seeds (WS), or control meal. l-Citrulline, arginine, and (poly)phenolic metabolites were characterized in plasma over 24 h using UHPLC-MS. Endothelial function was assessed using a flow mediated dilation (FMD) technique over 7 h. Maximum concentration ( C max ) and area under the curve (AUC 0-8h ) of l-citrulline were significantly higher after WF- and WR-containing test meals compared to control ( p < 0.05). Likewise, several individual phenolic metabolites in plasma had significantly higher C max after WR, WF, or WS intake compared to control. FMD responses were not different among test meals. Our results provide insights on circulating metabolites from watermelon flesh, seed, and rind and lay the foundation for future clinical trials on vascular benefits of watermelon.

Nowadays, fruit and vegetable industries generate huge amounts of under-utilized by-products with a great economic potential. The processing by-products account from 25 up to 60% of the weight of the fruit and would be mainly made of skin and lower percentages of pulp and seeds. All their fractions present an interesting chemical composition and therefore, they could be considered as raw materials for the development of integrated biorefinery approaches. Since, several functional molecules and platform chemicals could be produced by sequential environmentally friendly processes with novel applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This review describes the current status of the research dealing with pineapple, melon, watermelon and pumpkin processing by-products, including aspects related to the technologies employed to obtain and isolate high added-value compounds from these by-products. Furthermore, a suitable biorefinery approach for their integral valorisation based on obtaining valuable multi-products is also proposed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Grafting of vegetable seedlings is a unique horticultural technology, practiced for more than five decades, aiming to overcome problems associated with intensive cultivation on limited arable land. Grafting can protect vegetables against soil-borne diseases and nematodes; against abiotic stresses such as high or low temperatures, salinity, drought or excessive soil-water content; and against elevated soil concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Watermelon is one of the most popular vegetables to be grafted, and more than 90% of the plants worldwide are commercially grafted. This mini review aims to summarize the latest available information about the effects of rootstock/scion combinations with respect to enhancing or impairing watermelon fruit-quality. A better understand of the influence of rootstock/scion compatibility or incompatibility on fruit-quality parameters will facilitate decision-making by growers and direct breeding programs to produce high-quality grafted fruits in a cost-effective manner. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)