Influence of pre- and postharvest factors on beta-carotene content, its in vitro bioaccessibility, and antioxidant capacity in melons.
Fresh and stored melons were analyzed for total and bioaccessible beta-carotene content, as well as total antioxidant potentials, to investigate the effects of genotype, season, sowing time, and storage on nutritional quality. There were significant cultivar effects on beta-carotene content (P < 0.001), ranging from 1 to 23 mg kg(-1) of fresh weight (FW), its bioaccessibility (P < 0.005), ranging from 79 to 94.5%, and for antioxidant potential (P < 0.001), ranging from 1569 to 2267 micromol of Fe(2+) kg(-1) of FW of melons. Sowing time significantly affected beta-carotene contents (P < 0.017) and antioxidant potentials (P < 0.001), but these were highly cultivar dependent, with season having no effect. Postharvest storage over 4 weeks at 7 degrees C resulted in losses of antioxidant potential and beta-carotene content independent of cultivar. Cultivar and postharvest management were major determinants of nutritional quality of the melons evaluated.
Wolbang
Carla Maria
CM
CSIRO Plant Industry, Private Mail Bag, Merbein, VIC 3505, Australia.
Singh
Davinder Pal
DP
Sykes
Stephen Richard
SR
McInerney
Jennifer Kay
JK
Bird
Anthony Richard
AR
Treeby
Michael Thomas
MT
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D001682:Biological Availability; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004063:Digestion; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019207:beta Carotene