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Melothria scabra has gradually become an economically important plant worldwide. The complete chloroplast genome of M. scabra has a length of 156,744 bp, contains a large single-copy (LSC) region (86,387 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,055 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs) with the same length of 26,151 bp. In total, 126 genes were detected, including 83 protein-encoding genes, 35 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. For phylogenetic analysis, M. scabra has a closer genetic relationship with Cucumis sativus and Citrullus lanatus. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of M. scabra would promote the germplasm exploration, phylogenetic relationships, and molecular biology researches in Melothria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melothria scabra has gradually become an economically important plant worldwide. The complete chloroplast genome of M. scabra has a length of 156,744 bp, contains a large single-copy (LSC) region (86,387 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,055 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs) with the same length of 26,151 bp. In total, 126 genes were detected, including 83 protein-encoding genes, 35 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. For phylogenetic analysis, M. scabra has a closer genetic relationship with Cucumis sativus and Citrullus lanatus. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of M. scabra would promote the germplasm exploration, phylogenetic relationships, and molecular biology researches in Melothria.

Watermelon is the most significant, natural plant source of L-citrulline, a non-proteinaceous amino acid that benefits cardiovascular health and increases vasodilation in many tissues of the body. Watermelon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, melon, pumpkin, and cucumber. It is possible that other cucurbits could be good sources of citrulline or of arginine, its direct precursor. Twenty-one cultigens were evaluated in triplicate at two locations in North Carolina to estimate citrulline and arginine amounts and variation due to cultigen, replication, and environment. Cultigens containing the highest amount of citrulline (based on LS means) in g/kg fresh weight were ’Crimson Sweet’ watermelon (2.85), ’Dixielee’ watermelon (2.43), casaba-type melon (0.86), mouse melon (0.64), and horned melon rind (0.45). Additionally, mouse melon, horned melon, and bitter gourd (arils) may be interesting sources of arginine-family amino acids, perhaps because of their large seed and aril content relative to mesocarp.