Characterization of the seed oils of some commercial cultivars of melon

Abstract

Proximate analysis of the seeds from three commercial melon cultivars (Honey Dew, Hy-mark and Orange Flesh) showed high percentage of lipids (25.7-27.6%) and proteins (15.2-19.2%). The physico-chemical properties of the hexane-extracted oil from the seeds of these cultivars were determined. Gas chromatographic analysis of the oils showed the presence of almost all fatty acids starting from C-6-C-24 except that of C-11, C-21-C-23, C-18:2 being the principal fatty acid followed by C-18:1, C-16:0, and C-18:0 fatty acids. The number of fatty acids, which were present in concentrations higher than 0.01% of total fatty acids, was 17, 14, and 13, respectively, in these cultivars.