Nutritional Profile and Medicinal Properties of Cucumis melo var Agrestis: A Non- Conventional Vegetable

Abstract

The research study was design to determine the nutritional profile and medicinal properties of non-conventional vegetable Cucumis melo var Agrestis of district Tharparkar, for sake to take a little step for overcoming the situation of malnutrition and to alleviate the nutritional and health status of the community as well. Cucumis melo var Agrestis fruits sample were collected from the vicinity of Mithi, district Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan. Biochemical and phytochemical screening via different standard methods was performed to assess the nutritional value of the plant. The outcomes of experimental work were estimate ash content with 3.8%, moisture 80.9%, carbohydrate content 31.2%, moreover protein content of Cucumis melo var Agrestis was detected 18.9% in fruit part. However, the presence of Phenolic compounds alike total alkaloids and total Tannis was also observed, beside this the heavy metals was found available and analysis shows presence of Cu, Fe, Zn, Co with 138, 141, 17.6 and 0.03 of ppm concentration were found respectively, although very minute concentration of Mn, Pb and Cd perceived below the limit of detection. Hence it was concluded from present study that Cucumis melo var Agrestis (Fruit) was found nutritious that can be used as food to overwhelm the situation of malnutrition.