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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #226585
Title: Seasonal and Postharvest Temperature Impact on Novel Orange-fleshed Honey Dew Fruit Antioxidants

Author
item Lester, Gene
item HODGES, D. MARK - AGRI-FOOD CANADA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2008
Publication Date: 7/18/2008
Citation: Lester, G.E., Hodges, D. 2008. Seasonal and postharvest temperature impact on novel orange-fleshed honey dew fruit antioxidants [abstract]. 236th American Chemical Society Annual Meeting, August 17-21, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A-AGFD-133.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This study compared some commercially available novel, non-netted, orange-fleshed honey dew melon cultivars (Cucumis melo L. Inodorus group) and a breeding line fruit for levels of antioxidants associated with both storage quality and human health. Fruit were produced in both autumn and spring production cycles in a glasshouse, harvested at abscission (mature) and stored for up to 24 days at either 5 degrees C or 10 degrees C. Spring versus autumn production generally yielded higher overall levels of folic acid, lipophilic and antioxidant (ascrobate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) capacities. Our results indicate that there are significant differences in human-health and storage quality-related phytochemical profiles between orange-fleshed honey dew melon cultivars, and that high antioxidant levels are associated with reduced lipid peroxidation during melon fruit storage.