Detection of fatty acid pattern, mineral and macro nutrient content of watermelon seeds in the market for consumption

This study was carried out to determine the macronutrients, fatty acid pattern and some minerals of watermelon seeds in the market for consumption. The samples were obtained from the producers in the provinces of Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Nevşehir. In this experimental study, all analyzes were performed according to AOAC methods. The data were evaluated with the one-way analysis of variance method (One-way ANOVA). Tukey multiple comparison test was applied to determine the difference between the variables according to the results of the analysis. According to the findings, the seeds of Siirt province have higher fat, protein, moisture and ash content (50.63±0.57%, 31.46±2.54% 2.57±0.14%, 3.70±0,13% respectively) compared to other provinces while the crude fiber content of the seeds of Şanlıurfa province (5.69±0.22%) is higher than other provinces. Carbohydrate contents of Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Nevşehir seeds were 6.52%, 8.12% and 8.79%, respectively; energy amounts are 607.59 kcal/100g, 600.91 kcal/100g and 612.98 kcal/100g, respectively. Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Nevşehir seeds contain the most linoleic acid (42,73±0,40%, 46,83±0,06%, 43,77±0,03% respectively) and the least arachidonic acid (0,90±0,03%, 0,78±0,01%, 0,85±0,01% respectively). When the fatty acids contained in the watermelon seeds are grouped, they contain the least monounsaturated fatty acid (Siirt 23.08%, Şanlıurfa 20.08%, Nevşehir 23.38%), the most polyunsaturated fatty acid (Siirt 42.73%, Şanlıurfa 46.83%, Nevşehir 43.77%). All samples contain the most potassium (Siirt 601,59±0,07 mg/100g, Şanlıurfa 601,37±0,05 mg/100g, Nevşehir 608,39±0,03 mg/100g) and the least nickel (Siirt 0,18±0,01 mg/100g, Şanlıurfa 0,15±0,00 mg/100g, Nevşehir 0,11±0,01 mg/100g). None of the samples contain copper. The difference between cities was significant in all nutrients except protein (p<0.05). As a result, it has been determined that the nutritional pattern of watermelon seeds, which is highly consumed in the Southeastern Anatolia region of our country, is quite valuable according to the results obtained from this study.