Characterization, phenolic compounds and functional properties of Cucumis melo L. peels

The aim of this work is to investigate the phytochemical composition and functional properties of the melon peels, considered as a by-product. Melon peels (maazoun cultivar) are rich in nutritional ingredients such as carbohydrates (69.77%) and ash (3.67%). They contain significant amounts of total dietary fibers (41.69%) and antioxidants as polyphenols and flavonoids (332mg/100g extract and 95.46mg/100g extract, respectively). The identification and the quantification of the phenolic compounds of melon peels were performed by high performance liquid chromatography apparatus. The obtained results indicate that hydroxybenzoic acids and flavones constitute their main phenolic classes. 3-Hydroxybenzoic acid is the major phenolic compound in the melon peels by 33.45mg/100g, followed by apigenin-7-glycoside (29.34mg/100g). Determination of the functional properties (water and oil retention capacities) and color shows that melon peels have properties that may be useful in industrial applications.