# Phytochemical Profiling and Characterization of Honeydew, Cantaloupe, and Galia Melon Peel Extracts for Potential Prebiotic Activities

## TL;DR

This study shows that melon peels contain bioactive compounds that can support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, making them a potential source for prebiotic foods.

## Contribution

The study introduces melon peels as a novel and sustainable source of prebiotic-like compounds with high non-digestible polysaccharides and polyphenols.

## Key findings

- Cantaloupe peel had the highest non-digestible polysaccharides and enhanced probiotic growth significantly.
- Melon peels showed high polyphenol content, with cantaloupe having the highest at 175 mg/100 g.
- FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds like polysaccharides and polyphenols.

## Abstract

This study characterized the peel extracts of
Cucumis melo
L. varieties and evaluated their in vitro prebiotic‐like activity supporting the growth of
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp. bulgaricus and
Bifidobacterium bifidum
. Melon peel extracts were prepared and freeze‐dried for analyzing sugar composition, enzymatic digestibility, and probiotic stimulation in various sample extracts. Among the tested varieties, cantaloupe peel exhibited the highest concentration of non‐digestible polysaccharides (29.20 ± 1.0 mg/g) and significantly enhanced
L. delbrueckii
and
B. bifidum
growth to 9.81 ± 0.04 and 9.79 ± 0.01 log CFU/g. Total polyphenol content was greatest in cantaloupe (175 mg/100 g), followed by galia (173 mg/100 g) and honeydew (121 mg/100 g). FTIR and 1H‐NMR analyses showed the presence of polysaccharides, sugars, polyphenols, and other bioactive functional groups. Hydrolysis resistance to acid and α‐amylase was 9.52% and 34.67% for cantaloupe, and 6.12% and 30.65% for honeydew, respectively. Overall, melon peel extracts demonstrated substantial prebiotic‐like activity, attributed to their high levels of non‐digestible polysaccharides, reducing sugars, phenolic compounds. These findings identify melon peel as a promising, sustainable source of bioactive ingredients for gut health promoting functional foods.

Bioactive compounds are recovered from Honeydew, Cantaloupe, and Galia melon peels through aqueous and ethanolic extraction followed by freeze‐drying. The resulting extracts undergo comprehensive characterization using HPLC, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy to define their chemical profiles. Ultimately, the study evaluates these extracts for their antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects against enzymes like $\alpha$‐amylase.