Formulation And Antioxidant Property Of Bitter Melon Seeds Oil Loaded Into SNEDDS Systems As A Nutraceutical

Bitter melon seeds oil is less soluble in the gastrointestinal tract and has low absorption. Therefore, a self-nanoemulsion dosage form needed to support its absorption and increase its stability. This study aimed to formulate bitter melon seeds oil into a self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) and evaluate its antioxidant activity using the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method. The SNEDDS formulation uses bitter melon seed oil as the active ingredient and the oil phase, cremophor RH 40 as a surfactant, and glycerin as a co-surfactant. The results showed that the best SNEDDS formula obtains a ratio of oil: Smix (surfactant mixture) of 1:4. The best formula transmittance was 97.35 ± 0.04% with an emulsification time of 15.69 ± 0.06 seconds, a pH value of 6.87 ± 0.08, and a particle size of 31.8 ± 16.3 nm. Thermodynamic stability and robustness to dilution tests show the preparation is stable and resistant to various dilutions and pH. The antioxidant activity of bitter melon seed oil before and after being formulated into SNEDDS resulted in 62.73% and 50.31% reducing power. This result is not differences significantly. This study concluded that bitter melon seeds oil SNEDDS has good physical characteristics, stability, and no antioxidant activity changes.

Characterization and Stability Studies of Egusi Melon Seed Oil (Citrullus colocynthis L.)

The physical value of oil depends upon its chemical composition, even today these values play a vital role while using different oil for industrial products and also, despite the vast nutritional and medicinal significance of egusi melon, there are little details on the shell life and stability of its oil over time. Therefore, the influence of time and temperature on melon seed oil was investigated at temperatures of 0oC and 30oC at different weeks to ascertain its physicochemical value and storage stability. For week zero, at 0oC and ambient temperature (30oC), the result revealed iodine value 124.09, Acid value 3.64 mgNaOH/g, Free Fatty Acid value 1.84 mgNaOH/g, Saponification 217.35 mgKOH/g, Peroxide value 1.25 mg/g oil, pH 5.89 and thiobarbituric acid value 0.1383 respectively. In the 5th week, at 30oC, the result revealed iodine value 91.1543, acid value 12.8921 mgNaOH/g, free fatty acid value 6.4988 mgNaOH/g, Saponification 346.42 mgKOH/g, Peroxide value 9.5mg/g oil, pH 3.2 and thiobarbituric acid value 0.413 respectively. Also at 0oC in the 5th week, the results were observed as follow: Iodine value 102.53, Acid value 7.96 mgNaOH/g, Free Fatty Acid value 4.01 mgNaOH/g, saponification 287.51 mgKOH/g, Peroxide value 6.1 mg/g oil, pH 5.05, and thiobarbituric acid value 0.2658 respectively. Refrigeration (0oC) of oil reduced the rate of most of the oxidative deterioration that produces rancidity. These values are within recommended range for edible oils. These results indicate that egusi melon oil could be a good source of table oil. The statistical results show that there was a significant difference between the melon seed oil stored at 0oC and 30oC (P < 0.001).

Efects of Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Avocado Oil (Persea americana), Melon Seed Oil (Citrullus colocynthis L.) on Growth Performance, Blood, Biochemical, Haematological Parameters, and Total Microbial Loads of Noiler Birds

This study was carried out to examine the comparative effects of coconut oil (CO), avocado oil (AO), and melon seed oil (MSO) on the growth performance, blood, biochemical, hematological parameters, and total microbial loads of Noiler birds. A total of 120 Noiler birds with an average weight of 50.3 ± 0.13 g were randomized into four treatment groups with 3 replications (10 per pen) for six weeks of fattening. Weekly body weight gain and daily feed intake of the birds were recorded for six weeks, after which average weight gain and feed conversion ratios were calculated. At the end of the feeding trials, blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological parameter assessments, and the digesta from the colon and ileum were collected for their intestinal total microbial load analysis. The average weight gains and feed conversion ratios (FCR) of the birds supplemented with CO (1229.40 ± 15.00) and MSO (1232.66 ± 43.18) were observed to be significantly higher (P < 0.05), compared to the birds supplemented with AO (1110.73 ± 18.29) and the birds fed feed only (1034.79 ± 2.04) having the least weight gained. The biochemical parameters of the birds across the treatment were not significantly different (P > 0.05). White blood cells, packed cell volume, red blood cells and lymphocytes were significantly higher in the CO group compared to the birds supplemented with the avocado oil and melon seed oil. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the weight of the spleen, bursa and gall bladder among the birds. The Lactobacillus spp. in the colon of birds supplemented with coconut oil (6.43 ± 0.56) and melon oil (6.25 ± 0.65) were significantly higher. It can be concluded that coconut oil and melon seed oil have the potential to serve as growth promoters for chicken production.

Physico-chemical Characteristics of Sokoto Locally grown Cucumis melo L (Honeydew Melon) Seed Oil

Introduction: Owing to increase demand for safer and health promoting vegetable oils, a number of potential sources are being explored by researchers. Materials and Methods: In this study, oil was extracted using Soxhlet from Sokoto locally grown Cucumis melo L (honeydew melon). Physical and chemical properties (colour, moisture, pH, specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, iodine value, saponification value and peroxide value) of the oil were determined using standard analytical methods by Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Results: The results showed the percentage yield of the oil to be 27.46%. Physically, the oil was yellowish in colour, liquid at room temperature, with pH of 6.2 (0.01), specific gravity of 0.89 (0.32), and refractive index of 3.62 (1.0). The saponification, acid, iodine and peroxide values of the oil were 45.81 (5.19), 9.16 (0.21), 64.80 (4.31) and 10.50 (1.50) respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that the oil has a potential for use as vegetable oil, in industries and, subject to further evaluation of the contents, health promoting purposes.

Sanbai Melon Seed Oil Exerts Its Protective Effects in a Diabetes Mellitus Model via the Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 Pathway

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the lack of adequate and scientifically rigorous evidence has limited its application in this disorder. Sanbai melon seed oil (SMSO) is used in folk medicine to treat DM; however, only few literature reports exist regarding its mechanism. Herein, we aimed to confirm the antidiabetic activity of SMSO in a T2DM model and further elucidate its possible mechanisms. The T2DM rat model was induced by high-fat and sugar diet and streptozocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg). SMSO was administered at doses of 0.7 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 2.8 g/kg. Several biochemical parameters and antioxidant protein levels were measured to evaluate the hyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of SMSO. Western blotting was performed to determine its potential mechanism. Based on the results, SMSO treatment significantly reduced blood glucose levels, increased plasma insulin, and repaired islet tissue injury in diabetic rats (P<0.05). To add, it markedly reduced MDA levels and increased that of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Western blot results showed that SMSO induced n-Nrf2 and HO-1 expression and Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies showed that LY294002, aPI3K inhibitor, abolished the effects of SMSO on GSK-3β phosphorylation and Nrf2 nuclear translocation as well as the protective effects on pancreatic β cells. Together, these results suggest that SMSO regulates the Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 pathway and induces the expression of antioxidant proteins to impede oxidative stress in rats with T2DM.

Extraction of phytosterols from melon (Cucumis melo) seeds by supercritical CO2 as a clean technology

Extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) which is known as a clean technology was carried out to extract oil from melon (Cucumis melo) seeds. SC-CO2 extraction technique does not contaminate extracts. SC-CO2 is not a toxic and a flammable solvent. Phytosterols, natural and bioactive compounds, which is known to provide protection against various chronic diseases were examined in the seed oil by using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were detected in the melon seed oil. SC-CO2 extractions were performed in a range of 30-55°C, 150-240 bar, 7-15 g CO2/min, 0.4-1.7 mm (mean particle size of the seeds) and 1-4 h. The optimal quantities of extracted oil, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were 36.8 g/100 g seed, 304 mg/ kg seed and 121 mg/ kg seed, respectively, at 33°C, 200 bar, 11 g CO2/min, 0.4 mm and 3 h.

Cucumis melo L. seeds as a promising source of oil naturally rich in biologically active substances: compositional characteristics, phenolic compounds and thermal properties

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristic features, phenolic compounds and thermal analysis of melon seed oil (Maazoun variety), in order to determine its potential applications in food or pharmaceutical industries. The physicochemical properties of the seed oil revealed a high degree of unsaturation. The average contents of carotenoid and chlorophyll were 2.43 mg/kg and 5.70 mg/kg, respectively. The main fatty acids of melon seed oil were linoleic acid (68.98%) and oleic acid (15.84%), which makes this oil nutritionally valuable. Furthermore, trilinolein (LLL), accounted for 28.99% and constitutes the most abundant triacylglycerol. A chromatographic analysis showed that amentoflavone and luteolin-7-glycoside were the major phenolic compounds. A thermal analysis of melon seed oil was performed by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The results of sensorial properties indicated that melon seed oil is appreciated by tasters. The findings suggested that because of its composition, melon seed oil could be used successfully as an alternative source in the food and nutraceutical industries as a functional ingredient.

A comparative study on quality parameters of pumpkin, melon and sunflower oils during thermal treatment

Current paper reveals the impact of thermal treatment on the quality of two seed oils – pumpkin and melon compared to the quality of the most used oil – sunflower oil. Conventional and microwave heating were used for processing the oils. The duration of the thermal treatment was 9, 12 and 18 min for the conventional heating. The microwave heating was performed with two microwave powers of the equipment (600 W and 900 W) for 3, 6, 9 and 12 min. At every stage of the thermal processing were determined acid and peroxide value, the absorbance of the oils at 232 and 268 nm, tocopherol and fatty acid composition. It was observed that the degree of oxidation of the examined oils during microwave and conventional heating increased with the duration of the thermal process and the power of the microwaves. Also, the two methods of heating had a little impact on the processes leading to the formation of free fatty acids. Total tocopherols of the melon seed oil were more stable to thermal treatment. The amount of linoleic acid decreased in the pumpkin and sunflower oils during microwave treatment, while that of oleic and palmitic acid relatively increased. The biggest change in the fatty acid composition of both oils was found during microwave heating at 900W. The changes in fatty acid composition of thermally treated melon seed oil were insignificant. Overall, melon seed oil was observed to be more thermally stable than pumpkin and sunflower oils.