Pakistan Journal of Nutrition1680-51941994-7984Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjn.2021.64.69Citrullus lanatus) Seed as a Soup Thickener]]>OdoM.O. OkorieP.A. EgbedikeC.N. AlakaI.C. 22021202Background and Objective:Citrullus spp. seeds are used as soup thickeners in most West African countries. They provide protein thereby solving protein malnutrition problem. Citrullus lanatus seed as a member of the family is usually discarded after the mesocarp has been consumed. The aim of the study was to investigate the potentials of watermelon seed (Citrullus lanatus) as a soup thickener. Materials and Methods: The watermelon seed was sundried, dehulled and ground into flour. The flour was subjected to chemical analyses using standard methods (AOAC). The anti-nutritional factors were analyzed using Pearson method. Functional properties were carried out according to the method of Onwuka. The watermelon seeds flour were prepared and evaluated using a 9-point Hedonic scale and data generated were subjected to one way analysis of variance. Results: The study revealed that watermelon seed contains high amounts of crude protein (24.33%), fat (28.27%) and fibre (4.33%). The seed is high in calcium (8.22 mg/100 g), Vitamin A (321.96 mg/100 g) and D (256.56 mg/100 g) respectively. The seed is low in anti-nutrients but has high water and oil absorption capacities (106.44 and 133.11%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the soups prepared using watermelon and melon seeds. Conclusion: The study revealed that watermelon seed is high in nutrients and compared favourably with melon soup. Thus watermelon seed can serve as a soup thickener.]]>Okonmah, L.U., O.M. Agbogidi and O.K. Nwagu,2011Citrullus lanatus Thumb) in Asaba agro-ecological environment.]]>1126130Aykroyd, W.K. and J. Doughty,19641st Edn.,Pages: 125.Pages: 125.Tak J. and S.Jain,2016Citrullus lanatus) seeds and its incorporation in product preparation.]]>7202206Perkins-Veazie, P. and J.K. Collins,20065458685874El-Adawy, T.A. and K.M. Taha,20014912531259Ahmed, H.S.E.S.,20042004Jensen, B.D., M.A. Hamattal, F.A. Touré and A.D. Nantoumé,20119151162Egbuonu, A.C.C.,2015Citrullus lanatus) rind and seed.]]>9225232AOAC.,200518th Edn.,pp: 935.14 and 992.24,pp: 935.14 and 992.24,Pearson, D.,19767th Edn.,pp: 7-11.pp: 7-11.Onwuka, G.I.,20051st Edn.,Pages: 219Pages: 219Ihekoronye, A.I. and P.O. Ngoddy,1985Pages: 386Pages: 386Ubbor, S.C. and E.N.T. Akobundu,2009810971102Awoyale, W., B. Maziya‐Dixon, L.O. Sanni and T.A. Shittu,2015Dioscoreaalata) flour fortified with distiller's spent grain on nutritional, chemical, and functional properties.]]>42433Penuel., B.L., M.E. Khan and O.N. Maitera,2013Citrullus vulgaris (Guna) seed.]]>23946Bankole, S.A., A. Osho, A.O. Joda and O.A. Enikuomehin,2005Colocynthis citrullus L.).]]>4799803Elinge, C.M., A. Muhammad, F.A. Atiku, A.U. Itodo, I.J. Peni, O.M. Sanni and A.N. Mbongo,2012Cucurbitapepo L) seeds extract.]]>2146150McKinley Health Center,20142014Edeoga, H.O., D.E. Okwu and B.O. Mbaebie,20054685688Jacob, A.G., D.I. Etong and A. Tijjani,2015Citrullus lanatus) seeds.]]>2142151Barke, S.,20022002Suwannasom, N., I. Kao, A. Pruß, R. Georgieva and H. Bäumler,20202020Abeshu, Y. and B. Kefale,20172174179Francisco, I.A. and M.H.P. Pinotti,200543487492Braide, W., I.J. Odiong and S. Oranusi,2012Citrullus lanatus).]]>299104Johnson, J.T., E.U. Iwang, J.T. Hemen, M.O. Odey, E.E. Effiong and O.E. Eteng,2012Citrullus lanatus.]]>351455150Oyeleke, G.O., E.O. Olagunju and A. Ojo,2012Citrullus lanatus) seed and seed-oil.]]>22931Seena, S. and K.R. Sridhar,2005Canavalia of the southwest coast of India.]]>38803814Copeland, L., J. Blazek, H. Salman and M.C. Tang,20092315271534Mohamed, F.A., E.E. Babiker, I.A.M. Ahmed and S.O. Ahmed,2012Arachis hypogaea) cultivars.]]>19629637Kulkarni, K.D., N. Govinden and D. Kulkarni,20182018