Citrullus lanatus Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

The functional properties as well the physicochemical properties of watermelon seed and seed-oil were analyzed. The functional properties of the seed revealed that oil and water absorption capacities for the seed were 123.5 ± 0.5 % and 116.3 ± 0.1%. The foaming capacity and stability (after 2 hr) in % were found to be 23.5± 0.1% and 62.5± 0.2% respectively while emulsion stability gave 0.325± 0.001%. Physicochemical properties of the oil extract from the seed using soxhlet extractor revealed the followings; iodine and acid values in mgKOH/g and saponification value in mgKOH/100g were 148.5 ± 0.5, 74.5 ± 0.5 and 3.4 ± 0.1 respectively. Peroxide value of the oil was found to be 2.8± 0.1meq/kg while specific gravity determination gave 0.91. The low acid, iodine and peroxide values of the oil coupled with favourable functional properties makes the seed and the oil suitable for human consumption and therefore the result of this research work would provide further information on the domestic and industrial usage of the seed and seed-oil.

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- Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Food

A bacterial artiWcial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus) with an average insert-size of 106 kb, providing 21 haploid genome equivalents. The library was used to identify BAC clones that are anchored to probes evenly distributed on the genomes of melon or Arabidopsis. Twenty eight probes (representing 66% of the tested probes) from melon and 30 probes (65%) from Arabidopsis identiWed positive BAC clones. Two methods were implemented to identify SSRs from the positively hybridizing BAC clones. First, analysis of BAC end sequences revealed 37 SSRs.

- by Todd Wehner and +1
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- Technology, Polymorphism, Sequence Analysis, Biological Sciences

A comprehensive compositional and characterization study was carried out on five seed oils from varieties of the melons Citrullus lanatus and C. colocynth in order to evaluate their suitability for large-scale exploitation as edible vegetable oils. The oils were extracted by Soxhlet with a 3:1 mixture of n-hexane/2-propanol with yields that ranged from 24.8 to 30.0% (wt/wt). The refractive indices and relative densities of the oils fell within the narrow ranges of 1.465–1.469 and 0.874–0.954 g/cm3, respectively. Saponification values ranged between 182.1 and 193.8 mg KOH/g, whilst iodine values (IV) ranged from 95.8 to 124.0 (Wijs). The ranges of the values for free fatty acid (AV), 1.2–4.0 mg KOH/g, peroxide (PV), 1.1–10.9 meq/kg and p-anisidine (p-AV), 0.2–9.0, indicated that secondary oxidation products were barely present. GC analysis gave total unsaturation contents of 67.93–82.36%, with linoleic acid (18:2) being the dominant fatty acid (55.21–66.85%). The GC results agreed closely with those from proton NMR analysis of the fatty acid classes. The physicochemical and compositional properties determined in this study show that the qualities of the test Cucurbitacea seed oils are highly comparable to those of soybean, sunflower and groundnut seed oils. Therefore, the test melon seed oils could be developed into commercial products to serve as alternate vegetable oils in Southern and West Africa, the regions where these melons grow.

- by samuel yeboah
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- Chemical Engineering, West Africa, Soybean, Vegetable oil

The use of herbal products is of global importance because of their low side effects, accessibility and affordability when compared with conventional medicine. Citrallus lanatus (water melon) is popular in indigenous system of folk medicine and it is known to contain bioactive compounds such as cucurbitacin, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids, vitamins, minerals. Traditionally Citrallus lanatus had been reportedly used as purgative and emetic in high dose, vermifuge, demulcent, diuretic and tonic. The seed is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, bed wetting, dropsy and renal stones, alcohol poisoning, hypertension, diabetic, diarrhoea and gonorrhoea. This review unveils the current experimental research on its biological activities which substantiate its ethno medicinal claims. Biological activities reviewed include; antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-plasmodial, anti-inflammatory, anti-Prostatic Hyperplasia activity, antigiardial activity, anti-oxidant, analgesic properties,its effects on the histology of the kidney of adult Wistar rats, antisecretory, antidiabetic, laxative,antiulcerogenis and hepatoprotective activities. In view of its wide pharmacological and biological activities, it's traditionally reported therapeutic potential such as, antihypertensive, antidirrhoeal, as well as its in-depth toxicity studies, among others, are yet to be experimented. These should be put into consideration in current researches.

- by Syed Ali Shah
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- Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Botany, Pharmacy

The discovery of several 5000-year old seeds of wild watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, at an archaeological site Uan Muhuggiag in southwest Libya, re-opens the debate on the origin, wild distribution and domestication history of this species. The seeds were found within a plant assemblage of wild seeds and fruits, associated with pottery and bones of domestic animals belonging to Neolithic pastoralists. The presumed wild progenitor of the modern cultivar C. lanatus is today found exclusively in a region centring on the Kalahari Desert. This new archaeobotanical record raises the possibility that this distribution was much more extensive in the past.

- by Krystyna Wasylikowa and +1
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- Archaeobotany, Environmental Archaeology, Food History, Vegetation History and Archaeobotany

- by Syed Ali Shah
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- Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Botany, Pharmacy

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) volume was measured using water displacement, ellipsoid approximation and image processing methods. The length and major and minor diameters of each watermelon were used in the ellipsoid approximation method. Eight-bit surface images of each watermelon, captured with a low-cost CMOS camera, were utilized in the image processing method. The volume obtained from ellipsoid approximation and image processing was compared to the volume determined by the water displacement method using the paired t-test and the Bland-Altman approach. The volume estimated by ellipsoid approximation was significantly different from the volume determined by water displacement (P < 0.05), while the volume determined by image processing was not significantly different from the volume determined by water displacement (P > 0.05). There was a mean difference of −0.467 L (95% confidence interval: −0.625 and −0.310 L; P < 0.0001) between the water displacement and ellipsoid approximation methods. The mean difference between water displacement and image processing was −0.218 L (95% confidence interval: −0.603 and 0.166 L; P = 0.243). Image processing provides a simple methodology to estimate watermelon volume and can be easily implemented in monitoring the growth rate of watermelons in the field, monitoring yield during mechanical harvesting, estimating the weight of individual watermelons and postharvest sorting of watermelons indoors.

- by Bulent Koc
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- Image Processing, Volume, Watermelon, Postharvest Biology and Technology

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has named cancer as one of the most significant cause of death presently, with about 6 million reported deaths in 1996, 11.4 million deaths in 2004, 7.6 million deaths in 2008 and 8.2 million deaths in 2012. However, present postulations reveal that there might be an escalation of cancer mortality to about 15 million by 2030, if the progression of the ailment is not checked. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the synergic antiproliferative and cytostatic effects of these fruit (Ananas comosus, Citrullus lanatus and Citrus sinensis) juices. Materials and Method: The study was performed on rapidly proliferating seeds of Sorghum bicolor and the resulting mean radicle lengths (mm) were taken after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Result: The seeds treated with methotrexate showed a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of radicle length growth throughout the experiment, compared with the control seeds radicle. The rate of inhibition after 72 hours...

- by Ugochi Ilomuanya
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- Biology, Citrus Sinensis, Citrullus lanatus, Ananas Comosus

The effects of four pre-packaging UV-C illumination doses (1.6, 2.8, 4.8 and 7.2 kJ m −2 ) on quality changes of watermelon cubes stored up to 11 days at 5 • C were studied. Non-treated cubes were used as a control. Higher UV-C doses induced slightly higher CO 2 production throughout the storage period, while no changes in C 2 H 4 production were monitored. However, UV-C did not significantly affect the final gas partial pressures within modified atmosphere packages where levels of 3-6 kPa O 2 and 13-17 kPa CO 2 were reached for all treatments. UV-C decreased microbial counts just after illumination. After 11 days at 5 • C, mesophilic, psycrophilic and enterobacteria populations were significantly lower in UV-C treated watermelon. Slight changes in CIE colour parameters were observed. According to sensory quality attributes, control and low UV-C treated cubes (1.6 and 2.8 kJ m −2 ) can be stored for up to 11 days at 5 • C while the maximum shelf-life of moderate to high UV-C treated fruit was 8 days at 5 • C. Control cubes showed a 16% decrease in lycopene content after 11 days at 5 • C similar to that found for the high UV-C treatment. However low UV-C treated watermelon cubes preserved their initial lycopene content (2.8 kJ m −2 ) or it was slightly decreased (1.6 kJ m −2 ). UV-C radiation did not significantly affect the vitamin C content while catalase activity and total polyphenols content considerably declined throughout the storage period. However, total antioxidant capacity markedly increased, independently of UV-C doses. As a main conclusion, UV-C radiation can be considered a promising tool for keeping overall quality of fresh-cut watermelon.

- by Pedro Robles
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- Food Preservation, SHELF LIFE, Polyphenols, vitamin C

- by John Tsitsipis
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- Zoology, Life Cycle, Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus

In view of the importance of this study comprehensive detailed data was collected from Holy Quran, Ahadith`s books and books written on the Islamic medicines. Present findings confined to 10 fruit plant species belonging to 10 genera of 9 families. The plant species are: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mats. & Nakai, Cucumis sativus L., Cydonia oblonga Mill. Ficus carica L., Olea europea L., Phoenix dactylifera L., Punica granatum L., Salvadora persica L., Vitis vinifera L. and Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. mentioned in Holy Quran and Ahadith. Complete macro & microscopic detailed morphological features of these species were discussed. Results were systematically arranged by alphabetic order of botanical names followed by English name, Arabic name, family, habit and habitat, part used, medicinal uses and references cited from Holy Quran and, Ahadith. The main aim of this study is to document the knowledge of ethnobotanical importance of fruits in the light of Islam. A table comprising, distribution in world, flowering period and chemical constituents, is given.

- by muhammad ajab khan
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- Plant species, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis Sativus, Vitis vinifera L.

Tomato plants, Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Tmknvf 2 , and watermelon plants, Citrullus lanatus [Thomb.] Mansf. cv. Dulce maravilla, were grown for 30 days at different temperatures (15, 25 and 35°C). We analysed soluble phenolics, enzymatic activities (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase), and dry weight. The impact of the three temperatures was different in tomato and watermelon. Our results indicate that heat stress in tomato plants occurred at 35°C, while chilling stress occurred in watermelon plants at 15°C. Thermal stress in both plants caused: (1) decreased shoot weight; (2) accumulation of soluble phenolics; (3) highest phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity; and (4) lowest peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity. These results indicate that thermal stress induces the accumulation of phenolics in the plant by activating their biosynthesis as well as inhibiting their oxidation. This could be considered an acclimation mechanism of the plant against thermal stress.

- by Luis Romero
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- Plant Biology, Plant Science, Peroxidase, Thermal Stress

A non‐dairy probiotic drink was produced through the fermentation of watermelon
juice using Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014. Watermelon juice was supplemented
with or without inulin or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and fermented for 6 hr at
37°C. The effect of two weeks of refrigerated storage at 4°C on the physicochemical
characteristics and viability of L. plantarum were measured. The viability of L. plantarum with or without inulin or FOS supplementation was maintained at about 11 log CFU/mL until week 2 of refrigerated storage. The pH of fermented watermelon juice continued to decrease, whereas lactic acid concentration continued to increase until week 1 of storage. The supplementation of inulin or FOS increased the total soluble solids of the juice. There was notable change of color in all fermented watermelon juices measured using colorimeter. The concentration of glucose, fructose and citric acid measured using HPLC varied over the two weeks of storage.
Practical applications Watermelon is widely consumed and accepted by consumers around the world. This paper presents an alternative to process this fruit by producing a non‐dairy probiotic drink using watermelon juice as the substrate. Experimental results indicated that watermelon juice was a suitable substrate to produce probiotic drink and refrigeration for two weeks was able to maintain the quality of the juice. This drink may have the potential to be commercialized for consumers who would prefer a fruit‐based probiotic drink.

- by Wee Sim Choo
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- Food Science, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Food Science and Technology

The in vivo and in vitro mechanistic anti-inflammatory actions of cucurbitacin E (CE) (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) were examined. The results showed that LPS/INF-γ increased NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas L-NAME and CE curtailed it. CE did not reveal any cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 and WRL-68 cells. CE inhibited both COX enzymes with more selectivity toward COX-2. Intraperitoneal injection of CE significantly suppressed carrageenaninduced rat's paw edema. ORAC and FRAP assays showed that CE is not a potent ROS scavenger. It could be concluded that CE is potentially useful in treating inflammation through the inhibition of COX and RNS but not ROS.

- by Loiy Hassan
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- Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Plant Biology, Inflammation, Phytotherapy

Genetic diversity and relatedness were assessed among 46 American cultivars of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus), and 12 U.S. Plant Introduction accessions (PIs) of Citrullus sp. using 25 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. These primers produced 288 distinct reproducible bands that could be scored with high confidence among cultivars and PIs. Based on the RAPD data, genetic similarity coefficients were calculated and a dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pairgroup method with arithmetic average (UPGMA). The cultivars and C. lanatus var. lanatus PIs differentiated at the level of 92% to 99.6% and 88% to 95% genetic similarity, respectively. In contrast, the C. lanatus var. citroides, and C. colocynthis PIs were more divergent and differentiated at the level of 65% to 82.5% and 70.5% genetic similarity, respectively. The low genetic diversity among watermelon cultivars in this study emphasizes the need to expand the genetic base of cultivated watermelon.

- by Todd Wehner
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- Genetic Diversity, Watermelon, Genetic Similarity, Citrullus lanatus
- by Lucimar G O Duarte
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- Horticulture, Ethanol Fermentation, Drink, Citrullus lanatus

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) is a major vegetable crop in the world, accounting for 6.8% of the world area devoted to vegetable crops. Wa- termelon is a useful vegetable crop for genetic research because of its small genome size, and the many available gene mutants. The watermelon genes were originally organized and summarized in 1944, and have

- by Todd Wehner and +1
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- Genetics, Horticulture, Morphology, Genome Size
- by Hussein Shimelis
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- Plant Biology, Cucumber, South Africa, Sex ratio

- by Hasnah Sirat and +1
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- Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Plant Biology, Inflammation, Phytotherapy

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential benefit of mycorrhiza on market gardening: watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) during the seasons of 2012 and 2013. Comparative tests in controlled conditions of greenhouse on the method of inoculation using AMF spores natives, allogeneic AMF of trade and the natural microflora of cultivated soil of watermelon were made. Applications of commercial mycorrhizal inoculum in practical field conditions were made at two sites. Ben Amar field without fertilizer of synthesis and El Karma field that has been treated or not with NPK applied at recommended doses commonly used by farmers (100% NPK) and lower doses (50% NPK). The measurements taken are affected to growth parameters, yield, caliber and number of fruits. The results revealed that in controlled conditions, the inoculum of trade was significantly more effective, as well as species of fungi of genus Glomus that had proved beneficial, hence the need to strengthen natural mycorrhizal popu...

- by Nabila Hamza
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- Horticulture, Art, Citrullus lanatus

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.

- by manef abderrabba
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- Analytical Chemistry, Food, Food Analysis, vitamin C

Beginning in the last two decades of the 14th century, richly illuminated versions of the Tacuinum Sanitatis, the Latin translation of an 11th-century Arabic manuscript known as Taqwim al-Sihha bi al-Ashab al-Sitta, were produced in northern Italy. These illustrated manuscripts provide a window on late medieval life in that region by containing some 200 full-page illustrations, many of which vividly depict the harvest of vegetables, fruits, flowers, grains, aromatics and medicinal plants. Our objective was to search for and identify the images of taxa of Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae. We have located all reported illustrated Tacuinum Sanitatis and similar or related manuscripts, searched through printed or electronic reproductions of them, categorized six of them that display full-page illustrations as archetypic, and established the identity of the Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae appearing in these six manuscripts. Of the Cucurbitaceae, Cucumis sativus (short-fruited cucumbers), Cucumi...

- by Harry Paris
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- Plant Biology, Ecology, Cucumber, Italy

The effect of the distance of initial inoculum on the intensity of watermelon gummy stem blight, caused by Didymella bryoniae, was studied in a naturally-infected rainfed commercial field. The shorter the distance from the focus, the sooner was disease onset and the earlier maximum disease levels were achieved. Maximum disease incidences were reached earlier than maximum severities, but eventually destructive levels were observed for both disease incidence and severity. Disease progressed at similar rates, irrespective of the radial distance from the focus. A detailed study of the disease temporal progress was conducted in inoculated rainfed experimental fields with commercial genotypes Crimson Sweet (susceptible, S) and Riviera (moderately resistant, R). The Gompertz model best described the disease progress curves, and estimated apparent infection rates were 0.049 and 0.020 respectively for S and R genotypes. In addition, spatial pattern studies were conducted during the dry season in overhead irrigated experimental plots, inoculated with point-source foci. Disease intensity gradients were better explained by the Exponential model than by the Power Law model. Gummy stem blight distribution was classified as aggregated by the Ordinary Runs procedure. Two different spatial autocorrelation methods (2DCorr and LCOR) revealed strong short distance spatial dependencies. Long distance positive correlations between quadrats were observed along with periods of higher progress rates. The dynamic patterns of the epidemics of gummy stem blight in watermelon described here are consistent with epidemics of polycyclic diseases with splash-dispersed spores.

- by Francisco F Laranjeira
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- Microbiology, Plant Biology, Spatial autocorrelation, Power Law

Many vegetable production regions in the southwestern US are strictly regulated on water use. In addition, demand for high quality and nutritious vegetables has increased. This study was performed to explore the effects of deficit irrigation on yield, fruit quality and lycopene content of red-fleshed diploid and triploid watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum & Nakai) cultivars. Irrigation treatments were 1.0, 0.75 and 0.5 evapotranspiration (ET) rates. Cultivars used were 'Summer Flavor 710', 'RWW 8036', 'Allsweet', 'Sugarlee', and 'SWD 7302' (diploids) and 'Summer Sweet 5244', 'SWT 8706', 'Sugar Time', and 'Tri-X-Sunrise' (triploids). Total water applied through a subsurface drip system was 395, 298 and 173 mm, for the 1.0, 0.75 and 0.50 ET, respectively. Total yields were highest at 1.0 ET (53.9 t ha -1 ) compared with 0.5 ET (26.8 t ha -1 ). Triploids had a 34% higher total yield and fewer culls (2%) compared with diploid cultivars (25%). Highest yields were obtained for 'Sunrise', 'SWT 8706', and 'SWD 7302'. Highest soluble solid content was measured for 'Sugar Time' (13.4%) and was significantly higher than other cultivars (range 9.7-11.0 %). Triploid cultivars had more firm flesh, compared with diploids (12.0 vs. 9.9 N). Lycopene content increased slightly with maturity (55.8 to 60.2 :g g -1 fw), and was significantly higher at 0.75 ET than 1.0 ET in melons at ripe and overripe maturity stages. Lycopene content averaged over all treatments was 60-66 :g g -1 fw for triploids and 45 to 80 µg g -1 fw for diploid fruit.

Red light (RL) can stimulate plant defense against foliar diseases; however, its role in activation of systemic defense against root diseases remains unclear. Here, the effect of RL on root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (RKN) infestation was investigated in watermelon plants (Citrullus lanatus L.). Plants were exposed to 200 µmol m −2 s −1 photosynthetic photon flux density RL at the canopy level for 21 days using light-emitting photodiodes. The results showed that RL significantly suppressed gall formation and nematode development, which was closely associated with the RL-induced attenuation of oxidative stress in roots. Gene expression analysis showed that RL caused a transient upregulation of PR1 and WRKY70 transcripts at 7 days post inoculation in RKN-infected plants. Further investigation revealed that RL-induced systemic defense against RKN was attributed to increased jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) content, and transcript levels of their biosynthetic genes in roots. Interestingly, while malondialdehyde content decreased, H 2 O 2 accumulation increased in RL-treated RKN-plants, indicating a potential signaling role of H 2 O 2 in mediating RL-induced systemic defense. Furthermore, analysis of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antidoxidants revealed that RL-induced enhanced defense agaist RKN was also attributed to increased activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as redox homeostasis. Taken together, these findings suggest that RL could enhance systemic resistance against RKN, which is mediated by a coordinated regulation of JA-and SA-dependent signaling, antioxidants, and redox homeostasis in watermelon plants.

- by Golam Jalal Ahammed
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- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Red Light, Hormones

The aim of the present study was to determine whether grafting could improve alkalinity tolerance of watermelon, and to study the changes induced by the rootstock in the shoot growth at agronomical, physiological, and biochemical levels. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine growth, net photosynthetic rate, electrolyte leakage, root Fe(III)-chelate reductase (FCR) activity, mineral composition and assimilate partitioning (experiment 1, 2007), and organic acid concentration in root exudates (experiment 2, 2008), of watermelon plants [Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsum. and Nakai cv. 'Ingrid'] either ungrafted or grafted onto the four commercial rootstocks: 'Macis', 'Argentario'[Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] and 'P360', 'PS1313' (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) grown in a closed-loop system. Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions having two levels of pH (6.0 or 8.1). The high pH nutrient solution had the same basic composition plus an additional of 10 mM NaHCO 3 and 0.5 g L −1 CaCO 3 . Significant depression of shoot, root biomass production, and leaf macro-(N, P, K, and Mg) and microelements (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) under high pH level was observed in both grafted and ungrafted plants. Increasing the concentration of NaHCO 3 from 0 to 10 mM in the nutrient solution significantly enhanced FCR activity of root tips to 2.3 times in high pH treatment in comparison to the control. At high pH level, the percentage of shoot biomass weight reduction was significantly lower in plants grafted onto pumpkins rootstocks in comparison to those grafted onto the bottle gourd rootstocks and the ungrafted plants. Moreover, at high pH level, the highest percentage of root biomass weight reduction was recorded in both grafting combinations 'Ingrid/P360' and 'Ingrid/Macis'. The high pH-related reduction in net assimilation was more severe in ungrafted plants in comparison with the grafted ones. The Fe concentration in leaves was significantly higher in plants grafted onto pumpkin rootstocks (avg. 109.5 g g −1 ) in comparison to that of bottle gourd rootstocks and ungrafted plants (avg. 86.7 g g −1 ). For plants grafted onto bottle gourd rootstocks and ungrafted plants the high pH level (8.1) in the nutrient solution caused significant decrease in macronutrient leaf concentration especially for P and Mg compared to plants grafted onto pumpkin rootstocks. Increasing the nutrient solution pH from 6.0 to 8.1 increased exudation of organic acids (citric, malic, tartaric and succinic acids). Watermelon plants grafted onto pumpkin rootstocks exuded more citric and malic acids than those grafted onto bottle gourd rootstocks and ungrafted plants especially under bicarbonate-enriched conditions. These results support the hypothesis that uptake of nutrients (e.g. P, Mg, and Fe) from the nutrient solution by pumpkin rootstocks was facilitated by exudation of organic acids from roots.

- by Giuseppe Colla
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- Botany, Plant Ecology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

- by Krystyna Wasylikowa and +1
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- Archaeology, Geology, Archaeobotany, Environmental Archaeology

- by Ilahy Riadh and +3
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- Analytical Chemistry, Food, Food Analysis, vitamin C

Almost all diseases are associated with the inflammation and pain. The Present study was designed to evaluate analgesic and anti inflammatory potentialities of methanolic extract of Cirtrullus lanatus rind which belongs to Cucurbitaceae family. Potent analgesic activity was observed (p<0.05) in extract 400mg/kg by 66.45% inhibition of writhing reflex and mild (50.63% inhibition) activity was observed in 200mg/kg compare to inhibition of 82.91% of standard Diclofenac 10 mg/kg. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory effect was remarkable (p<0.05) with 400mg crude compare with Standard Diclofenac 5 mg/kg body weight. Dunet test represents 46% reduction of paw edema compare to standard of 56.71%. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant extract showed the presence of Glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, steroids and protein were present in the rind of Citrullus lanatus one of which has analgesic, anti inflammatory properties. These provide scientific evidence to support the isolation and development of biologically active components as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents.

- by Nushrat Ovey
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- Pharmacology, Drug Discovery, Clinical Pharmacy, Citrullus lanatus

- by Marijke Van der Veen
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- Archaeology, Geology, Archaeobotany, Environmental Archaeology

The proximate analysis of seeds and physicochemical properties of oils extracted from six Sudanese cucurbit seeds Cucumis mello var. agrestis, Cucumis melo var. flexuosus, Cucumis sativus, Citrullus lanatus var. colocynthoides, Cucumis prophetarum, and Luffa echinata were examined by established methods. For each variety, the proximate analysis showed ranges for moisture, protein, and carbohydrates as 3.70–6.87, 14.50–17.50, and 15.62–28.89% on a dry matter basis, respectively. The oils were extracted by Soxhlet using petroleum ether, with yields that ranged from 10.9 to 27.10% (wt/wt). The obtained extracted oils were subjected to phyiscochemical, fatty acid, and tocopherol analysis. The physicochemical characterization of the oil revealed that the refractive indices and relative densities of the oils fell within the narrow ranges of 1.334–1.442 and 0.874–0.920 g/cm3, respectively. Unsaponifiable matters ranged between 0.8 and 1.2 mg KOH/g, whilst peroxide values (PV) ranged from 2.3 to 4.1 meq/kg. The ranges of the values for free fatty acid (FFA %) were 1.2–4.0%. The predominant fatty acids were 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, and 18:2 with ranges of 8.9–14.2, 6.0–9.4, 14.6–32.1, and 43.6–65.5%, respectively. γ-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in all samples ranging from 0.8 to 43.2% of the total tocopherols, followed by δ-tocopherol and α-tocopherol.

- by YOUSIF AHMED
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- Chemical Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Relative Density, Fatty Acid

In this study, the effect of flooding on plant growth and photosynthetic activity of grafted watermelon were investigated. The watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] cv. 'Crimson Tide' was grafted onto Lagenaria siceraria SKP (Landrace). Grafted and ungrafted watermelon plants were flooded at the soil surface for 20 days. For every 5 days, three plants were sampled to determine plant fresh and dry weight, leaf number and main stem length. Leaf colour, single leaf CO 2 exchange rate (CER), stomatal conductance (SC) and transpiration rate (Ts) were determined at 3 days interval. Flooding caused chlorosis on both grafted and ungrafted plants but such effect was more pronounced on ungrafted watermelon plants. CER, SC and Ts began to decrease from the 4th day of the flooding in both grafted and ungrafted plants as compared with non-flooded controls. However, grafted plants showed higher tolerance to flooding and had two-folds more CER, SC and Ts. Plant growth rate was also significantly lower in flooded plants than when compared to unflooded controls. Ungrafted plants had lower dry weight than grafted plants under flooding conditions. At the end of the experiment, decrease in fresh weight of plants was about 180% in ungrafted and 50% in grafted watermelons. Dry weight also decreased about 230% in ungrafted and 80% in grafted watermelons. Similar results were found in leaf number and main stem length. Adventitious roots and aerenchyma formation were observed in grafted watermelon but not in ungrafted watermelon under flooding. Adventitious root formation began from 3rd or 4th day of flooding and adventitious roots grew towards the soil surface. Flooding tolerance of watermelon could be improved by grafting onto L. siceraria.

- by Mustafa Nakai
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- Photosynthesis, Biological Sciences, Growth, Environmental Sciences

Movement of weathered p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p′-DDE) from contaminated soil to the rhizosphere pore water to the xylem sap of grafted watermelon was studied under green house conditions. p,p′-DDE concentrations in pore water and xylem sap was compared in intact plants, homografted, and compatible heterografts of Cucurbita pepo spp. pepo and Citrullus lanatus plants.An average p,p′-DDE concentrations in pore water of contaminated soil ranged from 0.36 μg/L to 0.55 μg/L and there were no statistically significant among the cultivars. Conversely, the xylem sap p,p′-DDE concentration of heterografted watermelon having a zucchini rootstock and watermelon scion was 71 μg/L and it was greater than intact watermelon plants (0.49 μg/L) but less than that of intact plants of zucchini (141 μg/L). Homografting showed no effect on xylem sap p,p′-DDE concentrations of the identical cultivars. The bio-concentration factors (BCFs) which is an average p,p′-DDE concentration in xylem sap over average p,p′-DDE in pore water were 344, 325, 197, 1.28, and 0.89 for intact plant of zucchini, homografted zucchini, heterografted watermelon, homografted watermelon, and intact plant of watermelon, respectively. Xylem sap p,p′-DDE concentrations of the heterografted watermelon plants were clearly influenced by plant phylogeny and enhanced by the zucchini rootstock compared to intact watermelon plants.

- by Mehmet Pinar
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- Soil, Water, Phytoremediation, Biological Sciences

Systematic surveys for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum (Fon) were conducted in a total of 141 fields in the watermelon-growing areas of the Mediterranean and southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey in 2004 and 2005. The mean incidence and prevalence of the disease were higher in the southeastern Anatolia region than in the Mediterranean region. Maximum disease incidence during the 2-year survey was 46.3%. However, mean disease prevalence ranged from 27.3% to 63.6% in southern Turkey. Of the 33 isolates of Fon recovered, 19 were recovered from Adana, two from Mersin, one from Gaziantep, four from Sanhurfa, five from Adlyaman, one from Batrnan, one from Diyarbaktr. The physiological race of each isolate was determined by the disease reaction in five differential watermelon cultivars (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai). Of the isolates recovered from the Mediterranean region, 47.6% were identified as race 0, 38.1% as race 1, and 14.3% as race 2. Among the 12 isolates recovered from the southeastern Anatolia region, four isolates were identified as race 0, and eight isolates as race 1. Race 2 was not detected in this region. This is the first report of Fon races 0 and 1 in southeastern Anatolia. The population density of Fon in both the Mediterranean and southeastern Anatolia regions ranged from 116.1 to a.A.a.A..7 CFU g-1 of soil. The mean inoculum density was much higher in watermelon-growing areas in the southeastern Anatolia region in comparison with the Mediterranean region, with a mean inoculum density of 1547.2 CFU g-1. Race 0 and race 1 were the most prevalent races in the fields with the mean highest and lowest inoculum density, respectively.

- by Halit Yetisir
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- Plant Biology, Biology, Population Density, Watermelon

Chemometric models were developed for prediction of lycopene concentration in watermelon and tomato puree from their visible reflectance spectra acquired by a fiber optic reflectance probe. A fiber optic spectrometer was used to acquire reflectance spectra from puree samples in the wavelength range of 500–750nm. Least squares (LS) and partial least squares (PLS) regression were used to correlate spectral data

- by N. Maness
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- Chemistry, Tomato, Reflectance Spectroscopy, Watermelon

- by Francisco Laranjeira
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- Microbiology, Plant Biology, Spatial autocorrelation, Power Law

as well as in Turkey and Israel, during the period 1995-2000. In total, 599 leaf samples with powdery mildew symptoms were collected from cucurbits from 166 locations within the Czech Republic; an additional 69 samples were collected from 42 locations elsewhere. Two powdery mildews (Golovinomyces cichoracearum and Podosphaera xanthii) were identified. The host range included the cultivated cucurbits (Cucumis melo, C. sativus, Cucurbita pepo, C. maxima, and Citrullus lanatus) and several other species. P. xanthii was the only powdery mildew pathogen found in Spain, Israel, and Turkey. P. xanthii and G. cichoracearum were detected in the other surveyed countries, occurring in both mixed infections and separately. In the more northerly latitudes and higher elevations, G. cichoracearum is more often the single species. G. cichoracearum was the dominant powdery mildew species in the Czech Republic (detected in 98.8% of the locations there); P. xanthii was found as the lone species in 1.2% of locations. At 28.4% of locations, G. cichoracearum was found with P. xanthii as mixed infections. The hyperparasitic fungus Ampelomyces quisqualis was found in 30% of the samples from the Czech Republic and was also recorded in Austria,

- by Bozena Sedlakova
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- Plant Biology, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Geographic distribution

Eggplant and watermelon, as one of the important vegetative crops have grown worldwide. The aim of the present study was to analyze the overall growth of the two inbreed crops varieties after the biofield energy treatment. The plots were selected for the study, and divided into two parts, control and treated. The control plots were left as untreated, while the treated plots were exposed with Mr. Trivedi's biofield energy treatment. Both the crops were cultivated in different fields and were analyzed for the growth contributing parameters as compared with their respective control. To study the genetic variability in both plants after biofield energy treatment, DNA fingerprinting was performed using RAPD method. The eggplants were reported to have uniform colored, glossy, and greener leaves, which are bigger in size. The canopy of the eggplant was larger with early fruiting, while the fruits have uniform shape and the texture as compared with the control. However, the watermelon plants after the biofield treatment showed higher survival rate, with larger canopy, bright and dark green leaves compared with the untreated plants. The percentage of true polymorphism observed between control and treated samples of eggplant and watermelon seed samples were an average value of 18% and 17%, respectively. Overall, the data suggest that Mr. Trivedi's biofield energy treatment has the ability to alter the plant growth rate, and can be utilized in better way as compared with the existing agricultural crop improvement techniques to improve the overall crop yield.

- by Mahendra Kumar Trivedi and +2
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- Polymorphism, DNA fingerprinting, Solanum Melongena, Citrullus lanatus

The photoperiodic response of 56 parthenogenetic lineages of Aphis gossypii Glover was examined by rearing the aphids for three generations under short day conditions (SD, L10:D14) and 17 °C. The lineages were derived from aphid samples collected in central and northern Greece from various crops and uncultivated plants of the families Asteraceae [chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum sp., smooth sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus L. and dahlia Dahlia variabilis (Willd.)], Cucurbitaceae [watermelon Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) and zucchini Cucurbita pepo L.] and Malvaceae [cotton Gossypium hirsutum L., okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), and rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus L.]. The results showed that the predominant life cycle category in both central and northern Greece (despite possible differences in winter severity among regions) was obligate parthenogenetic (anholocyclic) as 55 out of the 56 lineages belonged to this category. These lineages produced mostly wingless parthenogenetic females at percentages 59-83% and 48-86% in the first and late born progeny of the second generation under SD, respectively. The remaining percentages refer to winged parthenogenetic females. The only lineage capable of sexual reproduction was an 'intermediate' one which was sampled on cotton in northern Greece. Most of its progeny in the second generation under SD were wingless parthenogenetic females (65%). The percentage of winged parthenogenetic females, males and 'intermediate' females (produce wingless parthenogenetic and a few sexual females) were 8, 22, and 5%, respectively. The results reported here are considered as the first for southern European populations and support the general belief that A. gossypii is mostly anholocyclic in Europe.

- by John Margaritopoulos
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- Zoology, Life Cycle, Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus

Cultural practices have been reported to affect quality and phytonutrient content of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai). Knowing which cultivars perform well under various technologies and production systems, and knowing how these systems affect quality and phytonutrient content is imperative to ensure high quality fruit. Organic production and grafting are two cultural practices that are increasing among watermelon producers. Each of these technologies have the potential to interact with cultivars to influence watermelon quality. This review discusses the effects organic culture, input level, and grafting have on watermelon fruit quality. ORGANIC CULTURE Many consumers consider organically produced fruits and vegetables to be healthier and safer than conventionally grown fruit. Because of this, consumers are often willing to pay more for organically grown crops (Whole Foods Market® 2005). Worthington (2001) reported that organic culture of some fru...

- by Penelope Perkins-veazie
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- Literature Review, Phosphorus, Magnesium, vitamin C

- by M. Daunay
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- Plant Biology, Ecology, Cucumber, Italy

- by Paul Weckler
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- Chemistry, Tomato, Reflectance Spectroscopy, Watermelon

- by Rosa Rivero
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- Plant Biology, Biology, Medicine, Plant Science
- by Siddig Abdelwahab
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- Chemical Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Relative Density, Fatty Acid

The value of honey bee, Apis mellifera L., as pollinator of summer seed watermelon plants, Citrullus lanatus colothynthoides L. was studied. The highest percentage of opened flowers, number of bees/m 2 /min and amount of trapped pollen/ colony/h were recorded between 9.00 and 10.00 h, with significant (P<0.01) correlations between them. Eleven insect species belonging to eleven families and five orders were recorded as pollinators on summer seed watermelon crop, and A. mellifera L., was the predominant species. One hectare of summer seed watermelon could produce 10.47 kg of honey per season. Open pollination treatment produced the highest number of mature fruits and seed yield as compared with caged plants without any insect visitors which did not produce any fruits at all. It could be recommended to move the honey bee colonies to summer seed watermelon plantations during its flowering period to build-up the colonies and increase seed yield.

- by Yousry Bayoumi
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- Seasonality, Apis mellifera, Honey bee, Watermelon

The incidence of watermelon chlorotic stunt disease and the molecular characterization of the Jordanian isolate of Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV-[JO]) are described in this study. Symptomatic leaf samples obtained from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.), melon (Cucumis melo L.), squash (Cucurbita pepo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) plants were tested for WmCSV-[JO] infection by PCR. The virus could be detected in 8 melon and 87 watermelon samples obtained from Ghor Assafi (southern part of Jordan Valley). Three samples collected from Mafraq (eastern part of Jordan) were found mixed infected with WmCSV-[JO] and Squash leaf curl virus. The full-length DNA-A and DNA-B genomes of WmCSV-[JO] were amplified, and sequences were deposited in the GenBank under accession numbers EU561237 and EU561236, respectively. Sequence analysis reveals that WmCSV-[JO] is closely related to other virus isolates from Israel (WmCSV-[IL]), Yemen (WmCSV-[YE]), Iran (WmCSV-[IR]), Lebanon (WmCSV-[LB]), and Sudan (WmCSV-[SD]). DNA-A of WmCSV-[JO] showed highest nucleotide identity (99.42%) with WmCSV-[IL], while DNA-B had highest nucleotide identity (95.52%) with WmCSV-[YE]. Data of this study demonstrate that digestion of DNA-B genome of WmCSV isolates with ApaI enzyme can discriminate between these isolates at the molecular level. Infectious clones of WmCSV-[JO] were constructed and agroinoculated to Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Inoculated plants developed mild disease symptoms 4 weeks post inoculation, while watermelon plants biolistically inoculated with WmCSV-[JO] developed characteristic mottling, yellowing and severe leaf curling symptoms 3 weeks post inoculation.

- by Ghandi Anfoka
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- Tobacco, Jordan, Sequence Analysis, Cucumber
- by Ousmane Coulibaly
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- Cultural Practice, Citrullus lanatus

A nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (path-1) was previously shown to protect watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings from anthracnose disease elicited by wild-type C. magna. Disease protection was observed in stems of path-1-colonized cucurbits but not in cotyledons, indicating that path-1 conferred tissue-specific and/or localized protection. Plant biochemical indicators of a localized and systemic (peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, lignin, and salicylic acid) "plant-defense" response were investigated in anthracnose-resistant and -susceptible cultivars of cucurbit seedlings exposed to four treatments: (1) water (control), (2) path-1 conidia, (3) wild-type conidia, and (4) challenge conditions (inoculation into path-1 conidia for 48 h and then exposure to wild-type conidia). Collectively, these analyses indicated that disease protection in path-1-colonized plants was correlated with the ability of these plants to mount a defense response more rapidly and to equal or greater levels than plants exposed to wild-type C. magna alone. Watermelon plants colonized with path-1 were also protected against disease caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare and Fusarium oxysporum. A model based on the kinetics of plant-defense activation is presented to explain the mechanism of path-1-conferred disease protection.

- by Stanley Freeman
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- Kinetics, Treatment, Cucumber, Biological Sciences

Anthroponics is a recirculating soilless agriculture system that uses natural bacterial cycles to convert human biowaste such as urine into plant fertilizer. One main issue with the sterilization of urine before use in an anthroponic... more

- by Henrique Sánchez
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- Catalysts, Hydroponics, Hydroponic, Catalyst