Studies on In vitro antioxidant analysis of cucumeropsis mannii (melon) seed

Abstract

Introduction: Cucumeropsis mannii (melon seed) is grown as a source of oil and can be dried and ground for use as soup condiment in Nigeria. It has been said to contain antioxidants. The crop holds significant nutritional value rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The seed is an excellent vegetable protein and is ideal for battling nutritional debilitations. Aims: In this study, the in vitro antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extract of melon seeds were analyzed. Materials and Methods: The C. mannii (melon) seeds were dried, and the sample was ground with a corona manual grinder into a fine powder and was stored in an airtight container. Sample extraction was performed by soaking 20 g of the ground sample in 100 ml of 70% ethanol and placed in a shaker (HY-4A multipurpose oscillator) for 1 h. Analysis for percentage of free radical scavenging activity (RSA), reducing power activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, and antioxidant enzyme activity was done using standard methods. Statistical Analysis: The results were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and analysis was carried out using the Student's t-test at 95% confidence level considered at P = 0.05. Results: The result obtained showed that melon seed had an EC50 free RSA of 2382.69 mg/ml, reducing power activity of 16,660 mg/ml, while lipid peroxidation showed EC50 of 473.832 mg/ml. The catalase (0.12985 ± 0.00 U/mg), superoxide dismutase (0.0032095 ± 0.00U/mg), and H2O2 scavenging activity showed high activities. Conclusions: C. mannii (melon seed) contains active antioxidants that prove that it is of essential nutritional value.