Valorization of watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus) byproducts: phytochemical and biofunctional properties with emphasis on recent trends and advances

TLDR: In this paper, the authors report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts, more specifically in watermelon seeds and their value added products, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bioeconomy perspective.

Abstract: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) a fruit crop, is an herbaceous creeping plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a tropical plant, mainly propagated by seeds and thrives best in warm areas. While the fruit pulp is consumed, seeds are often discarded. The continuously growing global market for the main tropical fruits is currently estimated at ?85 million tons, of which approximately half is lost or wasted throughout the whole processing chain. Developing novel processes for the conversion of these byproducts into value?added products could provide a viable way to manage this waste problem, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bio?economy perspective. Given the ever?increasing concern about sustainability, complete valorization through a bio?refinery approach, that is, zero waste concepts is therefore most important. This paper aims to report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts, more specifically in watermelon seeds and their…