Physicochemical Properties, Proximate Composition, and Carotenoid Content of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (Gac) Fruit

Mohd Nazri Abdul Rahman and Amin Ismail and Azrina Azlan and Ahmad Fazli Abdul Aziz and Mohd Desa Hassim5 and and Nor Hayati Muhammad (2024) Physicochemical Properties, Proximate Composition, and Carotenoid Content of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (Gac) Fruit. Tropical Agricultural Science, 47. pp. 461-479. ISSN 1411-3701

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Abstract

The study aims to determine the physical and chemical properties of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (gac) fruits. Fruit size varied, weighing 359.17 to 588.33g, with lengths of 11.10 to 13.92 cm and circumferences of 27.43 to 30.67 cm. Components included pulp (34.06 to 41.58%), seeds (23.11 to 29.70%), peel (16.65 to 20.60%), and aril (15.64 to 18.64%). Skin and aril colour parameters (L*, a*, b*) indicated maturity and carotenoid content. Aril had higher acidity (pH 5.54±0.02, titratable acidity [TA] 0.03 to 0.05g/L), total soluble solids (TSS, 11.57%±0.52 °Brix), and carbohydrates (55.6 g/100 g) than pulp (pH 5.65±0.02, TA 0.01 to 0.02g/L, TSS 4.90%±0.33 °Brix, carbohydrates 30.9 g/100 g). Peel contained most protein (6.2 g/100 g) and dietary fibre (56.9 to 58.1 g/100 g). Glucose and fructose were found in both pulp and aril. Potassium levels were highest in peel (817.59 mg/100 g), followed by pulp (658.20 mg/100 g) and aril (228.79 mg/100 g). Lycopene dominated carotenoids, especially in aril (31.7 to 103.7 mg/g). β-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin were also present. β-carotene (2.9 to 9.6 mg/g) was second to lycopene, followed by astaxanthin (1.54 to 4.91 mg/g), lutein (0.16 to 1.35 mg/g), and zeaxanthin (0.35 to 1.49 mg/g), absent in pulp. These findings have implications for the food industry, offering insights into gac fruit’s nutritional potential. Malaysian gac exhibited superior nutritional content, with pulp and aril as notable sources of carbohydrates and minerals for consumption and aril as a promising source of healthy oils.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Carotenoids, Minerals, Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng, Physicochemical, Proximate, Sugar profiles
Subjects:	Q Science > QK Botany > QK1-989 Botany > QK710-899 Plant physiology S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S1-(972) Agriculture (General) > S583-587.73 Agricultural chemistry. Agricultural chemicals
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2024 12:02
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2024 12:02
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/39174

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