Carotenoids in watermelon juice

Watermelon is the third most popular fruit vegetable in the world and also the largest among the fruits eaten in hot weather. Watermelon juice has gained attention as a functional beverage for exercise, since it contains electrolytes and a significant amount of the amino acid citrulline, which has been found to have ergogenic or athletic performance enhancing.

Watermelon juice contains lycopene and β-carotene - these are plant compounds classified as carotenoids, which are highly colored pigments that help protect plants against damage from sunlight. These antioxidants neutralize the harmful free radicals in the human body.

Carotenoids are responsible for the different flesh colors in watermelon fruit, such as white, salmon yellow, orange, pale yellow, canary yellow, crimson red, and scarlet red.

The predominant carotenoid in yellow-fleshed watermelon is neoxanthin. Neoxanthin is a carotenoid and intermediate in the synthesis of abscisic acid from violaxanthin. Neoxanthin is also found in apple and a constituent of paprika, lucerne, orange, and other species and has been shown to exhibit apoptotic and anti-proliferative functions.

Watermelon has long been identified as a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that studies have suggested could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Carotenoids in watermelon juice