Avaliação do conteúdo de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante em polpa e semente de melão Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

The melon (Cucumis melo L.) stands out about the presence of vitamins, minerals, and an-tioxidant compounds. The Northeast region is responsible for the most extensive national pro-duction of melon, which is concentrated in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Despite the health benefits associated with fruit consumption, large amounts of inedible parts (peel and seed) are discarded. The present study evaluated the phenolic compounds content and the antioxidant properties of Cantaloupe melon pulp and seed. The results showed that the pulp extract stood out compared to the seed in the Total Antioxidant Capacity (CAT) analyzes (182 mg ascorbic acid Eq/g extract), and hydroxyl radical sequestration, reducing power, fer-ric chelation and DPPH with efficiency of 76%, 100%, 81.2%, and 78.7% respectively. The seed extract excelled in the analysis of phenolic compounds with 0.75 mg Eq. gallic acid/g extract and in superoxide radical sequestration with 35.3% efficiency. Both show significant results of antioxidant activity and may help in the prevention of several diseases triggered by oxidative stress. Therefore, the use of these extracts may be an alternative for the food industry in place of synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives associated with adverse health effects.