ARS | Publication request: LYCOPENE CONTENT OF MINI WATERMELON VARIETIES GROWN AT FOUR LOCATIONS

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 3, 2005
Publication Date: May 1, 2005
Citation: Perkins Veazie, P.M., Collins, J.K., Hassell, R.L., Olson, S., Maynard, D., Schultheis, J., O'Hern, M., Magby, T., Magaby, S. 2005. Lycopene content of mini watermelon varieties grown at four locations. HortScience. 40(4):1091.

Technical Abstract: Mini watermelons are the size of cantaloupes and weigh 1.5 to 3 kg (4 to 8 lbs). Melons of 18 selections were grown in replicated trials in North Carolina, South Carolina, and north and south Florida. Melons were harvested when ripe and samples of heart and locule tissue were frozen, and sent to Lane, OK. A total of 960 samples, representing 6-12 melons per selection per location, were analyzed for total lycopene content using colorimeter and spectrophotometer methods. Subsamples of Mohican, Hazera 6007, Vanessa, Petite Treat, and Precious Petite were analyzed by HPLC for carotenoid profiles. Total lycopene content ranged from 52 to 108 ug/g, depending on variety. Selections were grouped into two levels of lycopene content. The varieties Precious Petite, Petite Perfection, Betsy, Bonny, Petite Treat, Valdoria, Vanessa, Hazera 5133 and 5138, RWT 8149,8155,8162 had 60 to 79 ug/g lycopene and the varieties Hazera 6007, 5123,5109,5177, Mohican, and Extazy had 80 to 100 ug/g. Melons harvested from the Florida locations had more total lycopene than those from North and South Carolina. 'Precious Petite' had more b-carotene as a percentage of total carotenoids than other varieties tested. These results indicate that lycopene content is affected primarily by germplasm and also by environment.