Total polyphenols and flavonoids contents of aqueous extracts of watermelon red flesh and peels (Citrullus lanatus, Thunb)

Abstract

Watermelon, fruit of Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae), is well consumed in Senegal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the total polyphenols and flavonoids contents of the red flesh and the white part of watermelon peels.The total polyphenols contents are estimated by the Folin-Denis and flavonoids by a method using AlCl3. Polyphenol contents were 63.33± 1.455 mg TAE/g and 47.3 ±0.888 mg TAE /g dry extract respectively for the white part of the peels and red flesh. For flavonoids, there are respectively, 1.105 ± 0.142 mg RE/g and 2, 028 ± 0.061 mg RE/g. The results show that flavonoids are more concentrated in the red flesh whereas the peels are more riche in total polyphenols. Several studies show that consuming foods rich in polyphenols reduces the development of many pathologies. Man could thus consume, in the same way that the flesh, the white part of the peels.