4. Conclusion
The present study investigated the antioxidant activity and
components of hydrothermal extracts from watermelons. Hydrothermal
treatment of watermelons significantly increased the
phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the flesh, green rind,
and white rind parts of the fruit. Several new phenolic compounds
such as catechol and its derivatives were identified in the
hydrothermal extracts. Therefore, hydrothermal treatment may
release phenolic compounds fromwatermelons, thereby increasing
its antioxidant activity. This study shows that hydrothermal treatment
could be used as a tool to increase the antioxidant activity and
levels of nutraceutical compounds in watermelon extracts.
Acknowledgments
This study is supported by a research grant from Kyungnam
University, Korea, in 2012.