Characterization of the seed oils of some commercial cultivars of melon

Proximate analysis of the seeds from three commercial melon cultivars (Honey Dew, Hy‐mark and Orange Flesh) showed high percentage of lipids (25.7—27.6%) and proteins (15.2—19.2%). The physico‐chemical properties of the hexane‐extracted oil from the seeds of these cultivars were determined. Gas chromatographic analysis of the oils showed the presence of almost all fatty acids starting from C₆— C₂₄ except that of C₁₁ , C₂₁ C₂₃ , C_18:2 being the principal fatty acid followed by C_18:1 , C_16:0 , and C_18:0 fatty acids. The number of fatty acids, which were present in concentrations higher than 0.01% of total fatty acids, was 17, 14, and 13, respectively, in these cultivars