CITRULLUS LANATUS [Water melon]
An
extremely popular thirst quencher is Citrullus
lanatus popular as melon,
Dharpooshani [thannippazham in South Tamilnadu.] The fruit is widely used in
cities, towns and villages alike especially during summer months. The ‘easy to
eat’ nature of the balloon-like fruits is a major appeal for consumers.
Besides, every sale point has huge heaps of melon fruits that it appeals to the
prospective buyer for its water content-the ‘thirst quencher’ which also
delivers some minerals.
Large
scale availability and easy to cut and use the fruit are important from buyer’s
point of view.
Technically,
the fruit has two zones- a reddish –purple juicy core with seeds embedded and
an outer thick leathery rind. The rind cannot be eaten raw and can be used as a
vegetable by cooking it. The outer rind is said to be rich in ‘citrullin’ – important for improving libido if supplemented with Arginine.
The pigment-rich pulp is known to be anti-inflammatory and medicinal in effect.
Melons can deliver a fair quantity of nutrients sugar and energy.
A
100gm melon can provide
Energy
= 30 k cal, 7.56 g carbohydrates, 6.2 g
Sugar , Fat =0.15 g,
Fiber
=0.4 gn, Protein 0.61 g water =91.4 g and minerals/ vitamins Lycopenes and carotenoids are part of the
fruit pulp while the outer rind contains ‘CITRULLINE’ an amino acid .
A good food supplement is C. lanatus –so abundant during summer.
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