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Kiwano (Cucumis metuliferusKiwano E. Meyer ex Naudin) is a neglected crop from the Cucurbitaceae family with recognized nutritional and medicinal properties, especially in African countries. This review describes the recent findings regarding the nutritional and phytochemical composition of kiwano, supporting the pharmacological properties of this...
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... the mature and immature peeled fruit are the preferable consumed portions of the kiwano plant [8], the young leaves and the tuberous roots can also be eaten, providing an important source of nutrients and relevant phytochemicals [21]. The summary of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of the different edible parts of kiwano is presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. ...Context 2
... maturity degree of kiwano affects its nutritional composition [25]. Table 1 shows that kiwano fruit has low levels of carbohydrates (7.56%) and calories (44 kcal 100 g À1 ) [28], but high contents of water, minerals including magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper; and complex B vitamins [25,29]. The pulp also presents high concentrations of vitamin C (5.30 mg g À1 fw) and β-carotene (0.88 μg g À1 fw) [28], which are important to the immune defense [34]. ...Citations
This study aimed the optimization of antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total carotenoids of Horned Melon fruit submitted to maceration extraction, using ethanol as solvent. Optimization was performed by Box–Behnken design on three levels and three variables: extraction temperature (25 °C, 55 °C, and 85 °C), extraction time (0.5, 2.0, and 3.5 h) and ethanol concentration (10%, 50%, and 90%). The optimal conditions to improve the carotenoids extraction was 55 °C, 1.5 h and 86% ethanol, whereas the antiradical/antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP assays) and TPC were enhanced at 45 °C for 2.0 h and 40% ethanol. The optimal antioxidant extract was characterized regarding the phenolic composition and in vitro neuroprotective activities. The phenolic composition revealed the presence of high amounts of gallic acid (11.7 ± 0.6 mg/100 g dw) and protocatechuic acid (7.69 ± 0.38 mg/100 g dw). However, this extract presented a weak activity against Monoamine oxidase A (11.8 ± 2.3% inhibition at 2.7 mg/mL) and did not display anti-cholinesterase activity at the maximum concentration tested (1.3 mg/mL). Maceration was an efficient extraction technique to recover polyphenols and carotenoids from Horned Melon fruit. The optimized model can be very useful for food and pharmaceutical industries.
Recent studies reveal that numerous non-edible parts of fruits and vegetables, as well as food wastes, are a good source of phytochemicals that can be extracted and reintroduced into the food chain as natural food additives. Horned melon or kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. Ex. Naudin) is a fruit rich in various phytochemical components important in the daily diet. After primary processing, horned melon non-edible parts (e.g., peels and seeds) can represent raw materials that can be utilized in numerous applications. Among under-researched fruits, this study aims to present the potential of using horned melon edible and non-edible parts based on current knowledge on nutritional value, phytochemicals, biological activity, as well as biological benefits. Overall, this review concluded that the biological properties of horned melon are associated with the phytochemicals present in this fruit and its waste parts. Further studies should be conducted to identify phytochemicals and valorize all horned melon parts, assess their biological efficacy, and promote their potential uses in different health purposes.
