Characteristics of some nutritional composition of melon (Cucumis melo hybrid 'ChunLi') seeds

Seeds from a melon hybrid 'ChunLi' were analysed for their proximate composition. The seeds contained high percentages of lipids (35.36%) and proteins (29.90%). Hexane-extracted oil had acid, peroxide, iodine and saponification values of 1.51, 3.95, 89.5 and 226.73, respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis of the oil revealed the presence of twenty-five fatty acids varying from C₄ to C₂₄ with the exception of C₅, C₇, C₁₁ and C₁₉. The concentrations of individual fatty acids varied from trace quantities to about 54.8%. Linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids were the principal fatty acids contributing to 53.9%, 12.1%, 23.9% and 5.7%, respectively, of the total fatty acids which had a relatively high percentage (67.5%) of unsaturated fatty acids. Seed proteins were rich in arginine, aspartic and glutamic acids while limiting amino acids were methionine and lysine.