Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims

Authors

  • Ambreen Naz Department of Home Economics, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Masood Sadiq Butt National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Tauseef Sultan Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Mir Muhammad Nasir Qayyum Department of Food Technology, Karakoram International University, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
  • Rai Shahid Niaz Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Keywords:

functional foods, watermelon, lycopene, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, macular diseases

Abstract

Presently, functional foods and nutraceuticals are gaining immense importance in the prevention of various maladies through dietary regimen module. Consumption of fruits and vegetables based diet has pursuit a range of bioactive components, especially phytochemicals targeting life threatening ailments. In this context, lycopene is an extensively studied antioxidant potentially present in watermelon, tomato, pink guava etc. Watermelon is one of the unique sources having readily available cis-isomeric lycopene. The distinctive aroma of watermelon is imparted by medium- and short-chain fatty acids along with geranial, ß-ionone and neral. Its consumption has been escalated owing to rich nutritional profile and allied health benefits. It is effective in reducing the extent of cancer insurgence, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and macular diseases. The structural characteristics, physiochemical properties and therapeutic effects of lycopene are the limelight of the manuscript. However, further research investigations are still needed to address the health enhancing potential of watermelon lycopene.

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Published

2014-06-03

How to Cite

Naz, A., Butt, M. S., Sultan, M. T., Qayyum, M. M. N., & Niaz, R. S. (2014). Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims. EXCLI Journal, 13, 650–660. Retrieved from https://www.excli.de/index.php/excli/article/view/729

Issue

Vol. 13 (2014)

Section

Review articles

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