Hometop nav spacerAbout ARStop nav spacerHelptop nav spacerContact Ustop nav spacerEn Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
Search
 
 
 
National Programs
International Programs
Find Research Projects
The Research Enterprise
Office of Scientific Quality Review
Research Initiatives
 

Research Project: PHYSIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC BASIS OF POSTHARVEST QUALITY AND PHYTONUTRIENT CONTENT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Title: Carotenoids in watermelon and mango

Author
item Perkins Veazie, Penelope

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 24, 2007
Publication Date: December 30, 2007
Citation: Perkins Veazie, P.M. 2007. Carotenoids in watermelon and mango. Acta Horticulturae. 746:259-264.

Interpretive Summary: Fruit contain ascorbic acid and carotenoids, which can provide vitamin C, vitamin A, and the phytochemical lycopene to humans. Watermelon is rich in lycopene and mangos contain large amounts of beta carotene, a vitamin A precursor. In this report, a summary of the genetic and storage effects on lycopene in watermelon are presented. A comparison of the beta carotene and vitamin C content of mango varieties indicate that some mango varieties can have 3 to 5 times the average beta carotene and vitamin C content reported for mango. This report indicates that watermelon and mango provide consumers with a strong dietary source of several nutrients and phytochemcials.

Technical Abstract: Carotenoids, which impart yellow, orange, and/or red colors to many fruits, have antioxidant health properties. A series of experiments were undertaken to establish how storage affected carotenoids in cultivars of watermelon and mango in cooperation with U.S. commodity boards. Watermelon was assayed to determine effects of germplasm, storage temperature, and fresh cut on lycopene and beta carotene content. Seedless watermelons were generally highest in lycopene and storage at 21C increased both lycopene and beta carotene contents. Fresh cut watermelon lost about 6% of carotenoids, probably through oxidation of cut surfaces. Mangos of the five major varieties imported over a 12 month period into the U.S. from Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Ecuador were ripened at 20-25C and assayed for beta carotene and vitamin C content. Beta carotene content (mg/kg fwt) averaged 5.0, 7.0, 10.4, 16.8, and 26.1 for ‘Tommy Atkins,’ ‘Haden,’ ‘Keitt,’ ‘Ken,’ and ‘Ataulfo,’ respectively. Total vitamin C (mg/100g fwt) was from 19.2 (‘Tommy Atkins’) to 126.4 (‘Ataulfo’). Results indicate that U.S. watermelons are a rich source of lycopene while mangos imported into the U.S. offer consumers a new natural source of beta carotene and vitamin C.

   

 
Project Team
Davis, Angela
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
  Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement (301)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/26/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House