HUMAN WELLNESS COMPOUNDS IN HONEYDEW FRUIT: INFLUENCE OF CULTIVAR AND ENVIRONMENT
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The influence of cultivar, fruit size, soil type and year on total ascorbic acid (TAA), free ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DAA), folic acid (FA) and potassium (K) in Cucumis melo L. (Inodorous Group) was determined. Fully mature (abscised) commercial size fruit: 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 (fruit/0.031 m3 shipping box) from 3 commercial cultivars: Mega Brew, Morning Ice and TAM Dew Improved (TDI); and one experimental hybrid TDI x Green Ice were grown on both clay loam and sandy loam soils. Total ascorbic acid and FA content increased with an increase in fruit size up to a maximum (size 6 or 5), then decreased with further fruit size increase. Total ascorbic acid and FA content for most fruit sizes were higher when grown on clay loam versus sandy loam soils. The experimental hybrid compared to the commercial cultivars contained generally higher TAA levels and significantly higher FA levels regardless of fruit size or soil type. Free ascorbic acid and DAA contents were generally higher from fruit grown on clay loam versus sandy loam soils and in the experimental line versus the commercial cultivars. However, AA content was high in small fruit and remained unchanged with an increase in fruit size until size 6 or 5 then decreased; while DAA content linearly increased with an increase in fruit size. Potassium content averaged 1.7 mg per g fresh weight for each line and was not affected by fruit size, soil type or year.
