Quantitative estimation of plant metabolites in the hot aqueous seed extract of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.)

Plants are integral part of nature. Nature is a unique source of structures of high phytochemical diversity, many of them possessing interesting biological activities and medicinal properties. The use of traditional medicines is increasing and getting popularity throughout the developed and developing world. The medicinal properties of plants are due to the presence of active principles such as alkaloids, phenolics, tannins and flavonoids which constitute of many pharmacologically active compounds. Quantification of these compounds is very essential for identifying the medicinal properties present in the plants. The current study aims to elucidate the quantification of the primary and secondary metabolites in the aqueous hot extract of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. (Watermelon) seeds. The primary metabolites such as proteins, total soluble carbohydrates, total amino acids and secondary metabolites such as total phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins were quantified using standard laboratory protocols. The results from the study reveal that the hot aqueous seed extract of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad has a good amount of nutritional and therapeutic properties based on the estimated quantitative value of the primary and secondary metabolites. Thus the finding suggests that watermelon seeds could be a potential source of natural antioxidant and can be used in preventing various diseases.