Evaluation of physicochemical properties and total phenol contents of watermelon (Rothmas and Sugar baby) seed oils

Abstract

This study investigated the physiochemical properties of watermelon (Rothmas and Sugar baby) seed oils and
the effects of temperature were evaluated and compared with bitter melon (conventional) oil. This was with a
view to utilizing the oils for both domestic and industrial purposes. The iodine values were 183.2, 193.0, and
197.1 g iodine/100 g oil for bitter melon, rothmas and sugar baby oils respectively. The total phenol contents
were 454.2, 538.6, and 590.3 mg/kg for rothmas, bitter melon and sugar baby oils respectively. The refractive
indices of watermelon oils were higher than that of bitter melon oil while the surface tension, specific gravity,
smoke point and viscosity of bitter melon oil were higher than that of watermelon seed oils. The properties of
watermelon oils revealed that the oils could be useful as drying oil in paint industry, releasing agent in baking
processes, production of biodiesel, as lubricant and in deep-frying purposes. They could also be dietary sources
of natural antioxidants.

Keywords: Melon Oil, Nonconventional, Physicochemical Properties, Smoke Point, Total Phenol