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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #387075
Research Project: Conservation, Characterization, Evaluation, and Distribution of Grain, Oilseed, Vegetable, Subtropical and Tropical Legume, and Warm Season Grass Genetic Resources and Associated Information

Location: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Title: Antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic activities of Citrullus colocynthis seed oil

Author
item MARIOD, ABDALBASIT - University Of Jeddah,alkamil
item Jarret, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Academic Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2021
Publication Date: 2/16/2022
Citation: Mariod, A., Jarret, R.L. 2022. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic activities of Citrullus colocynthis seed oil. In: Mariod, A., editor. Multiple Biological Activities of Unconventional Seed Oils. London, UK: Academic Press. p. 139-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824135-6.00005-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824135-6.00005-2

Interpretive Summary: This book chapter discusses the medicinal uses of oil extracted from the seeds of colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), a plant related to the watermelon that is native to the Mediterranean basin, West Asia, and the coast of North Africa. The oil from the seeds of this plant have been used to treat diabetes. The seed oil also has anti-microbial (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) and antioxidant properties that are useful in preventing or in treating diseases.

Technical Abstract: Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. is a perennial creeping herbaceous vine commonly found in sandy desert areas. It is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and native to the Mediterranean basin, West Asia, and the coast of North Africa. Its common names include colocynth, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, desert gourd, vine of Sodom, among others. Citrullus colocynthis seed contains 7.0% oil, 11.7% protein, 29.5% carbohydrates, and 5.51% dietary fiber. The oil contains 17-23% fatty acids which consists of linoleic, palmitic oleic and stearic acids. The seed oil is rich in tocopherols, primarily beta-tocopherol. Numerous medicinal properties have been associated with plant and seed extracts of C. colocynthis. This article focuses on colocynth seed oil and its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic and other useful and important properties.