Research Journal of Environmental Sciences1819-34122151-8238Academic Journals Inc.10.3923/rjes.2015.225.232Citrullus lanatus) Rind and Seed]]>EgbuonuAnthony Cemaluk C.5201595Harnessing food wastes utilization in diets and drugs could improve food supply, health and the environment while antinutrients composition in a food provides an idea of the pharmacologic, dietary and toxic potentials of the food. Thus, this study assessed the antinutrient properties of the rind and seed of watermelon (Citrullus lanantus) which are usually discarded as food wastes in Nigeria, using standard protocols. The antinutrients (mg/100 g) in the rind and seed, respectively viz: saponin (3.0±0.03, 2.31±0.01), alkaloid (1.39±0.00, 0.36±1.03), tannins (1.33±0.01, 0.61±0.01), phenol (0.53±0.00, 0.12±0.01) and flavonoid (2.87±0.00, 2.03±0.02) were higher in the rind than in the seed. The content (mg/100 g) in the seed for cyanide (0.79±0.01), phytate (0.63±1.00) and oxalate (0.09±0.00) was higher than that in the rind for cyanide (0.00±0.00), phytate (0.46±0.00) and oxalate (0.08±0.01). The recorded difference in the antinutreints content in the rind and seed samples was not significant (p>0.05), hence negligible. The preponderance of these antinutrients in a comparatively lower amount in the samples suggests that the watermelon rind and seed may offer pharmacologic and dietary benefits at a possibly lower toxic risk. Thus, the study supports the use of watermelon rind and seed as food and/or as drug in ethnomedication. Further studies to harness and enhance the utilization of watermelon rind and seed in diets and drugs are required to reduce their attendant waste burden in the environment.]]>Adeolu, A.T. and D.O. Enesi,2013Musa paradisiaca) bract-an agricultural waste.]]>4192197Akindahunsi, A.A. and S.O. Salawu,20054497501Akubugwo, I.E., A.N. Obasi and S.C. Ginika,2007Solanum nigrum L. Var virginicum from Afikpo-Nigeria.]]>6323326Akwaowo, E.U., B.A. Ndon and E.U. Etuk,2000Telfairia occidentalis Hook f.).]]>70235240Amaechi, N.C.,2009Buccholzia coricea) seeds.]]>811201122Antia, B.S., E.J. Akpan, P.A. Okon and I.U. Umoren,2006Ipomoea batatas) leaves.]]>5166168AOAC.,198414 Edn.,Auta, R., S.A. James, T. Auta and E.M. Sofa,2011Solanum incanum (Bitter garden egg).]]>656Bohm, B.A. and M.R. Koupai-Abyazani,1994Hawaiian vaccinium reticulatum and V. calycinum (Ericaceae).]]>48458463Dangoggo, S.M., A. Muhammad, A.I. Tsafe, A.A. Aliero and A.U. Itodo,2011Gardenia aqualla seeds.]]>3485492Egbuonu, A.C.C.,2015Citrullus lanatus) rind and seed.]]>2015Egbuonu, A.C.C., D.C. Nzewi and O.N.C. Egbuonu,2014Dioscorea dumetorum).]]>2014Ekop, A.S.,2007Gnetum africanum (AFANG) seeds.]]>64043Fila, W.A., E.H. Ifam, J.T. Johnson, M.O. Odey, E.E. Effiong, K. Dasofunjo and E.E. Ambo,2013Citrullus lanatus, Squash Cucurbita pepo'l and Rambutan, Nephelium lappaceum.]]>28188Gin, W.A., A. Jimoh, A.S. Abdulkareem and A. Giwa,201456671Lakshmi, A.J. and P. Kaul,2011Citrullus vulgaris) seeds.]]>4418211826Ijeh, I., C.E.C.C. Ejike, O.M. Nkwonta and B.C. Njoku,2010Treculia africana) Seeds.]]>14169173Johnson, J.T., E.U. Iwang, J.T. Hemen, M.O. Odey, E.E. Effiong and O.E. Eteng,2012Citrullus lanatus.]]>351455150Daniel, C.N. and E.A.C. Cemaluk,2011Vigna sesquipedalis) flour.]]>27578Okwu, D.E. and M.E. Okwu,2004Spondias mombin linn plant parts.]]>6140147Onwuka, G.I.,2005pp: 140-146pp: 140-146Oseni, O.A. and V.I. Okoye,2013Citrullus lanatus) (Thunb.).]]>27508514Parmar, H.S. and A. Kar,2009Mangifera indica, Cucumis melo and Citrullus vulgaris peel extracts in chemically induced hypothyroidism.]]>177254258Pearson, D.,19767th Edn.,pp: 7-14pp: 7-14Singleton, V.L., R. Orthofer and R.M. Lamuela-Raventos,19991999pp: 152-178pp: 152-178Sodipo, O.A., J.A. Akiniyi and J.U. Ogunbamosu,2000Pausinystalia johimbe and Pausinystalia macroceras (K Schum) Pierre ex Beille.]]>68387Zhu, M., T.D. Philipson, P.M. Greengrass, R. Bowmey and T. Cal,199744441447Yamaguchi, M.,2006