Question

(a) botanical ingredients found in watermelon and why is it used, what is the ingredient function/purpose.

(b) botanical fact about watermelon

(c) how is watermelon made and what are the secondary metabolites

(d) ethnobotanical knowledge about watermelon  

(e) how is the raw material transferred?

(f) nutritional value of watermelon

Answer 1

(a) Vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, potassium and beta carotene

Function

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. Watermelon’s vitamin C content may be linked to reducing blood pressure, as does its smaller amounts of vitamins B6 and E. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which promotes healthy eyes, a strong immune system, and healthy skin. Vine fruits like watermelon are a good source of potassium, a crucial electrolyte for nerve and muscle function. Potassium is an essential nutrient as the body ages, as it decreases high blood pressure and reduces the risk of kidney stones, stroke, and bone density loss.

(b) Botanical fact of watermelon

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, a vine-like flowering plant originating in West Africa.

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade : Tracheophytes

Clade : Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Clade: Rosids

Order: Cucurbitales

Family : Cucurbitaceae

Genus : Citrullus

Species : Citrullus lanatus

(c) How watermelon made or cultivated?

Planting and Spacing

Watermelon seed germinates at soil temperatures of 68° to 95° F. Seed should be planted approximately 1 inch deep. The amount of seed required (usually 1 to 2 pounds per acre) depends upon seed size, germination and plant spacing. Watermelons traditionally have been spaced 6 to 8 feet between hills on bare ground without irrigation. With irrigation, use a spacing of 5 to 6 feet between hills. With plastic mulch and trickle irrigation, use an in-row spacing of 3 feet and between-row spacing of 6 to 8 feet. Icebox watermelons can be spaced even more closely, with in- row spacings of 2 feet and between-row spacings of 5 feet.

Pollination & Fruit setting

Watermelons produce two types of flowers. Most varieties generally produce imperfect female and male flowers. When flowering begins in watermelon, male flowers will be produced at every node while female flowers will be produced approximately every seventh node. Watermelon flowers are viable for only one day; therefore, an adequate population of pollinating insects must be available every day during the flowering period. Under average conditions, two to three fruit should set per plant. The actual number of fruit set will depend on variety, cultural practices, environmental conditions, irrigation and number of pollinating insects . Watermelons require insects such as honey bees for proper pollination and fruit growth. Different Research has shown that each female flower must be visited, on average, seven times by a pollinating insect to ensure proper fruit set.

Soil & Land Preparation

Most well-drained soil, whether clayey or sandy can be managed to produce a good crop of watermelon. Land preparation involves one or more tillage operations performed, to make the soil more suitable for seeding and seedling (or transplant) establishment, to enhance productivity by providing the best soil structure for subsequent root growth and development, and to help control some disease problems. Land that has been under cultivation for several years may develop a hardpan several inches below the surface. Litter from previous crops should be disked and deep turned with a moldboard plough in order to insure its decomposition. Broadcast fertilizer should be applied at this time or just before final bedding.

Irrigation

Water is a critical component in the production of watermelons. A ripe watermelon consists of more than 90 percent water (a 30-pound watermelon contains more than 3 gallons of water). Thus, an adequate water supply is critical to optimizing yield and quality of this crop. Drip irrigation is gaining popularity for production of watermelons. It can be used with or without plastic mulch. One of the major advantages of drip irrigation is its water use efficiency if properly managed.

Weed Control

Successful weed management is vital to the production of quality watermelons. Weeds compete with the crop for light, space, nutrients and, particularly, water. Weed growth promotes disease problems and can harbor deleterious insects and diseases. Weeds also impair the ability to harvest effectively, reducing the quantity of marketable fruit and increasing labor costs. Watermelons, as with most crops, require early season weed control to ensure a quality crop. In addition, the spreading nature of this crop makes weed control difficult once the vines begin to form.

Secondary Metabolites of Watermelon

Carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, proteins, fibre, phosphorus and irons are found in Watermelon. The HPTLC fingerprinting analysis was carried for flavonid and phenolic compounds by using CAMAG LINOMAT 5 instrument which revealed the presence of flavonoid and phenolic compound especially quercetin in the ethanolic seed extract of C. lanatus. Also it contains bioactive compounds like cucurbitacin, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids, vitamins, minerals.

(d) Ethnobotanical knowledge about Watermelon

Citrallus lanatus (water melon) is popular in indigenous system of folk medicine and it is known to contain bioactive compounds such as cucurbitacin, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids, vitamins, minerals. Traditionally Citrallus lanatus had been reportedly used as purgative and emetic in high dose, vermifuge, demulcent, diuretic and tonic. The seed is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, bed wetting, dropsy and renal stones, alcohol poisoning, hypertension, diabetic, diarrhoea and gonorrhoea. Its wide pharmacological and biological activities, it's traditionally reported therapeutic potential such as, anti-hypertensive, antidirrhoeal, as well as its in-depth toxicity studies, among others, are yet to be experimented.

(e) How is the raw materials transferred?

Raw materials can be transferred using vehicles or other transportation facilities available. No special transportation required fpr transferring of raw materials of watermelon.

(f) Nutritional value of watermelon

Watermelon fruit is 91% water, contains 6% sugars, and is low in fat. In a 100 gram serving, watermelon fruit supplies 30 calories (125 kJ) and low amounts of essential nutrients. Only vitamin C is present in appreciable content at 10% of the Daily Value. Watermelon pulp contains carotenoids, including lycopene.