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Title: CHARACTERIZING CAROTENOIDS IN WATERMELON VARIETIES

Author
item Perkins Veazie, Penelope
item Collins, Julie
item Pair, Sammy

Submitted to: International Food Technology Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/22/2000
Publication Date: 6/1/2000
Citation: Perkins Veazie, P.M., Collins, J.K., Pair, S.D. 2000. Characterizing carotenoids in watermelon varieties [abstract}. International Food Technology Meeting Abstracts. p. 60.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Several carotenoids have been identified as having anti-oxidant properties that may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and slow the aging process. High serum levels of the lycopene carotenoid have been positively correlated with reduced prostate cancer incidence. Lutein is a carotenoid that is necessary for heathy vison. Tomatoes and tomato products have bee extensively profiled for carotenoid content and isomer forms. Watermelon fruit contain similar amounts of lutein and equal or higher amounts of lycopene than tomato but lycopene isomers and the other carotenoids have not been characterized among different watermelon varieties. This research was conducted to determine carotenoid profiles among watermelon varieties. Two seedless and two seeded varieties of commercial importance were used for this study. Established carotenoid extraction methods were followed and carotenoid profiles were determined using HPLC with a C18 column and photo diode array detector. Carotenoid profiles differ among watermelon varieties and significant differences were found in total lycopene content. Lycopene was the predominate carotenoid peak in all samples. Lutein was identified in minute amounts in most of the varieties. Several small peaks eluting before lycopene were tentatively identified as epoxides. The commercially important watermelon varieties all had naturally high levels of lycopene, some higher than that reported in the 1998 USDA carotenoid data base. The lycopene content also varied with type and variety of watermelon, as has been found in tomatoes.