Quality characteristics and antioxidant properties changes during ripening stage of muskmelon cultivars

Henane, I. and Riahi, A. and Tlili, I. and Chikh Rouhou, H. and Ilahy, R. and Hdider, C. (2024) Quality characteristics and antioxidant properties changes during ripening stage of muskmelon cultivars. International Food Research Journal (Malaysia), 31. pp. 1011-1021. ISSN 2231 7546

The quality of melon is often associated to physicochemical properties and phytonutrient accumulation. The determination of optimum harvest time and selection of genotype are important for maximising the health benefits for melon consumers. The goal of the present work was to study the changes of physicochemical, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of five muskmelon cultivars (Maazoun, Galaoui, Stambouli, Trabelsi, and Asli) at three ripening stages (unripe, ripe, and overripe). The main antioxidant compounds namely carotenoid, total phenol, flavonoid, and vitamin C content were measured. The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity (HAA and LAA, respectively) analyses and their correlation with functional compounds were also performed. The result showed that the ripening stage significantly influenced the melon fruit quality depending on cultivars. The transition from the unripe to the overripe melon led to an increase in pH, °Brix, carotenoids, and phenols in all cultivars, except for Stambouli and Trabelsi, where the °Brix value decreased. The levels of flavonoids (except Maazoun, Stambouli, and Asli), vitamin C, HAA, and LAA (except Stambouli) reached a peak at the ripe stage, and decreased thereafter. At the ripe stage, the orange flesh colour melon Galaoui was distinguished by a higher level of carotenoid (54.28 mg/kg fw), phenolic (1290 mg GAE/kg fw), flavonoid (400.12 mg RE/kg fw), vitamin C contents (197.56 mg/kg fw), as well as a higher hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity (296.77 and 155.82 μM Trolox/100 g fw, respectively). A significant correlation between hydrophilic antioxidant activity and phenolic contents was found (r = 0.98, p < 0.01), suggesting that phenolics were the major contributors to the hydrophilic antioxidant capacity. These findings highlighted the effect of genetic factor and ripeness in determining the physicochemical properties, phytonutrient accumulation, and antioxidant potential of melon fruit. Melon fruits examined can be considered a promising source of functional compounds and antioxidant potential, in both ripe and overripe stages.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/31%20(04)%202024/18%20-...

Abstract

The quality of melon is often associated to physicochemical properties and phytonutrient accumulation. The determination of optimum harvest time and selection of genotype are important for maximising the health benefits for melon consumers. The goal of the present work was to study the changes of physicochemical, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of five muskmelon cultivars (Maazoun, Galaoui, Stambouli, Trabelsi, and Asli) at three ripening stages (unripe, ripe, and overripe). The main antioxidant compounds namely carotenoid, total phenol, flavonoid, and vitamin C content were measured. The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity (HAA and LAA, respectively) analyses and their correlation with functional compounds were also performed. The result showed that the ripening stage significantly influenced the melon fruit quality depending on cultivars. The transition from the unripe to the overripe melon led to an increase in pH, °Brix, carotenoids, and phenols in all cultivars, except for Stambouli and Trabelsi, where the °Brix value decreased. The levels of flavonoids (except Maazoun, Stambouli, and Asli), vitamin C, HAA, and LAA (except Stambouli) reached a peak at the ripe stage, and decreased thereafter. At the ripe stage, the orange flesh colour melon Galaoui was distinguished by a higher level of carotenoid (54.28 mg/kg fw), phenolic (1290 mg GAE/kg fw), flavonoid (400.12 mg RE/kg fw), vitamin C contents (197.56 mg/kg fw), as well as a higher hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity (296.77 and 155.82 μM Trolox/100 g fw, respectively). A significant correlation between hydrophilic antioxidant activity and phenolic contents was found (r = 0.98, p < 0.01), suggesting that phenolics were the major contributors to the hydrophilic antioxidant capacity. These findings highlighted the effect of genetic factor and ripeness in determining the physicochemical properties, phytonutrient accumulation, and antioxidant potential of melon fruit. Melon fruits examined can be considered a promising source of functional compounds and antioxidant potential, in both ripe and overripe stages.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	muskmelons
AGROVOC Term:	fruits
AGROVOC Term:	carotenoids
AGROVOC Term:	phenols
AGROVOC Term:	flavonoids
AGROVOC Term:	vitamin content
AGROVOC Term:	ripening
AGROVOC Term:	quality control
AGROVOC Term:	analysis
AGROVOC Term:	harvesting
Geographical Term:	Tunisia
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2026 07:58
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2026 07:58
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3250

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