Quantification of cucurbitacin E in different varieties of melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit through validated RP-HPLC method

Abstract

The different varieties of melons (Cucumis melo L.) have been used in various traditional systems of medicine for decades to treat different ailments, including inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, edema, etc. The present study was designed for the quantification of cucurbitacin E in five different varieties of melon fruit through a validated RP-HPLC method. A solvent system is being optimized with a 70:30 (v/v) ratio of acetonitrile: water (1% glacial acetic acid) at a 1 mL/min flow rate and scanning spectrum (λmax) of 230 nm. A calibration curve for standard cucurbitacin E was generated and found to be linear (1–100 µg/mL). The variation of cucurbitacin E content among five different varieties of melon fruits is 0.0129% w/w– 0.231% w/w. This precise and reproducible method may be beneficial in addressing the quality-related aspects of medicinal food plants of Cucurbitaceae and its derived products or formulations.