The Influence of Location on the Nutritional Composition of the Rind of Watermelon (<i>C. lanatus</i>) in Parts of Selected Geographical Zones in Nigeria

Abstract

Watermelon (C.lanatus)), which was formerly only grown in the Northern part of Nigeria, is now grown in Southern parts also. It is known that weather patterns and soil composition vary as we move from the northern to the southern parts of Nigeria. However, there is little to no data demonstrating how C.lanatus' nutritional composition is influenced by its geographic location. This study therefore sought to assess the nutritional composition of the rind of C.lanatus produced in parts of four states that corresponded to four geopolitical areas of Nigeria. Samples of C. lanatus were gathered from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria which include; North-East, South-West, South-East, and SouthSouth. Fruits were cleaned before the rind was removed, blended, and freeze-drying carried out. The freeze-dried samples were subjected to established methods for the determination of the amino acid profile, vitamins, proximate, and mineral components. The results of the amino acid profile showed that distinct amino acids were present in each zone, with the southwest sample providing the highest quantities and the south-south zone providing the lowest concentrations. The rind of C. lanatus contained calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, and manganese in varying amounts, and samples from the south- west and north-east having the highest concentrations of both vitamins and minerals. The results of the proximate composition determination showed that the southwest sample had the highest (p < 0.05) percentage of moisture, protein, and ash when compared to other zones, and that the northeast sample had a higher percentage composition of carbohydrate, ash, and fat when compared to other zones. Thus, the C. lanatus samples' nutritional value were distributed as follows: southwest > northeast > southeast > south-south. According to the findings, C.lanatus rind's nutritional qualities can vary depending on where it is cultivated.