Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of melon seed powder sold in some open Ghanaian markets. Twenty-five samples of powder were collected randomly from each of four major markets and analyzed for moisture, pH, total ash, acid insoluble ash, and free fatty acids (FFA) using standard methods. The microbial population was determined using the pour plate method. Melon seed powder samples had a neutral pH (6.9-7.3) and contained significant amounts of ash (0.1-0.6%). Acid insoluble ash of powder from one market was high (0.6%) and possibly indicate contamination with siliceous earth material. FFA ranged between 4.1 and 11.6% for powder from the four markets. Levels of lead were higher (0.4-0.8 ppm) than other metals such as cadmium (0.02 ppm) and copper (0.3-0.6 ppm). HQ values >1 were recorded for Pb, implying a greater risk of toxicity to consumers. Counts for aerobic bacteria, fecal coliforms, and yeast and molds were in the range of 3.2-4.4, 1.6-4.0, 1.4-2.8, and 1.1-3.2 log CFU/g correspondingly for these organisms. E. coli was not detected in any of the melon seed powder samples analyzed. This study highlights the need for proper handling of melon seed during processing, storage, and distribution, to safeguard its quality for consumers.
Highlights
Melons are major food crops in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical regions
Major regions of cultivation are the Middle East and West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin), where the crop is interplanted with maize, cassava, and yam [2]
The results showed that Bawku, Techiman, Togo, and Nigeria are the main sources of melon seeds for these major markets (Figure 1)
Summary
Melons are major food crops in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical regions. They belong to the Citrullus family which consists of a wide variety eaten as fruits, and their seeds are used in many dishes [1]. The seeds contain 4.6 g carbohydrates, 0.6 g proteins, 0.6 g crude fiber, 33 mg vitamin C, 17 mg calcium, 16 mg phosphorus, and 230 mg potassium per 100 g edible seeds [4] It is an excellent source of minerals and essential amino acids [5], polyunsaturated fatty acids, and phospholipids and contain significant amounts of tocopherols and phenolic compounds which are beneficial to humans (Mariod and Matthaus, 2008). Its importance is reflected in the fact that it supplies significant amounts of protein and fat to diet and improves flavor and palatability
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