QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN FRUITS OF KIWANO (CUCUMIS METULIFERUS E. MEY) TEMPUS CULTIVAR

Abstract

Locally-grown kiwano fruits, Tempus cultivar, were evaluated for their content in some main classes of nutritional organic compounds. With 448/98 mg/kg DW (pulp/peel) total carotenoid content was average when compared to other Cucurbitaceae. Among identifiable carotenoids, lycopene was the only one in notable amounts, in peel (12% of total carotenoids). With 51,751/37,624 mg/kg, total phenolic inventory was extremely rich. Flavonoids were clearly dominant (78/49%). Hydroxycinnamic acids were found in significant proportions (11/27%). Fruit pulp also showed some amounts of tannins (5.9%) and stilbenes (2%), while coumarins were found in low amounts. Ascorbic acid was abundant, 20,140 mg/kg in pulp and 7,689 mg/kg in peel. Soluble sugars were 15,915 /6,634 mg/kg while lipids were 5,556 /2,721 mg/kg.