Evaluation of Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition in some Iranian Local Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivars

Subject Areas : Research On Crop Ecophysiology

SIMA ETEBARIAN ¹ , SHAHLA ETEBARIAN ² , HOSSEIN ALI ASADI-GHARNEH ³

1 - Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agriculture, Water, Food and Nutraceuticals, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
2 - Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agriculture, Water, Food and Nutraceuticals, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
3 - Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agriculture, Water, Food and Nutraceuticals, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

Received: 2024-09-25 Accepted : 2025-01-18 Published : 2025-10-26

Keywords: Keywords: Melon (Cucumis melo L.), Seed oil, USFA/SFA ratio, Linoleic acid, Oil quality.,

Abstract :

ABSTRACT This study was carried out in 2024 in the Islamic Azad Universsity, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, to assess the seed oil content and fatty acid composition of four traditional Iranian melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces: Tow-Qhermez, Haj-Nadali, Gorgab, and Mashhadi. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software. Mean comparisons were performed using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at the 5% significance level. Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variation (P ≤ 0.05) among the cultivars for most fatty acid traits, with particularly high determination coefficients (R² = 0.72–0.95) for oil percentage, palmitic acid (C16:0), total saturated fatty acids (SFA), the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid (USFA/SFA) ratio, and linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6), indicating strong genetic control over these parameters. Among the evaluated landraces, Gorgab exhibited the highest oil content (31.30%) and linoleic acid level (61.6%), while Mashhadi had the lowest oil content (23.60%) and the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids (16.8%). The USFA/SFA ratio, an important indicator of oil nutritional quality, was greatest in Tow-Qhermez (5.44) and Gorgab (5.62), suggesting a more favorable lipid profile from a health perspective. These results are consistent with previous findings in Cucurbitaceae species, confirming the presence of considerable genetic diversity in seed oil composition and highlighting the nutritional value of local germplasm. Furthermore, the dominance of linoleic and oleic acids among the unsaturated fatty acids aligns with earlier reports, underscoring their contribution to oxidative stability and potential health benefits. Based on these findings, Gorgab and Tow-Qhermez can be considered promising genetic resources for breeding programs aimed at enhancing seed oil content and nutritional value. This research provides a solid foundation for the valorization of native Iranian melon germplasm and supports its utilization in functional food and nutraceutical industries.

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