Cucumis melo L. seed oil components and biological activities

The industrial processing of fruits and vegetables generates a large number of by-products, such as bran, stalk, fibrous material, peel, and seeds. Most of these by-products are discarded, despite being a rich source of many nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids, and biologically active compounds, such as phytochemicals. Currently, the interest in fruit seeds is increasing, due to the nutritional and beneficial properties of their bioactive compounds. In addition, the fruit seeds are rich in oils, which naturally contain valuable bioactive compounds and antioxidants. Some of them are used as raw materials for oil production. Cucumis melo L. belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is consumed worldwide. Its seeds, corresponding to about 10% of the total fruit weight, are generally discarded as agro-waste. Nevertheless, melon seed oil is a good source of bioactive compounds, such as tocopherols, sterols, and phenolics as well as an interesting fatty acid profile, similar to those of soybean and sunflower oils. This oil presents different benefic properties, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-hypercholesterolemic activities, fully justified by the presence of the mentioned bioactive compounds. Based on this, C. melo seed oil has great potential as a functional ingredient. The use of these seeds as a new, promising and unconventional source of oil can be a good example of fruit by-products valorization, answering to the circular economy and sustainability principles and contributing to the income of fruit processing industries.