Determination of healthy natural antioxidants in selected muskmelon (Cucumis melo) cultivars

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is a popular summer fruit consumed all over the world due to combination ofrefreshingly sweet taste, pleasant flavour and nutritional value. Melon characterized by germplasm variabilitywith superior quality. This study aimed evaluate 5 promising local muskmelon cultivars (Maazoun, Galaoui,Stambouli, Trabelsi, Asli) for some physicochemical characteristics, content of different bioactive compoundsand antioxidant activity. The experiments were conducted two consecutive years 2018 2019 at support station inter-professional vegetable group positioned in North East Tunisia. Significant differences observed across melon (P<0.05) soluble solids (9–12°Brix), pH (5.5–6.6), carotenoid (7.5–59.5 mg/ kg FW), phenolic (400–1390 mg GAE/kg flavonoid (251.3–390 RE/kg vitamin C (138.2–193 mg/kg FW) contents, as well hydrophilic (102.28–285.43 μM Trolox/100 g lipophilic (30–180.22 activities. Galaoui showed highest levels carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, activities followed Stambouli. Trabelsi cultivar also had high level flavonoids. enhanced activity was significantly correlated (r = 0.91). These findings proved that besides being refreshing fruit, can be considered healthy produce with potential source natural antioxidants.