Correlation analysis between watermelon flesh color with carotenoid compositions and content

HU Ziwei; ZHANG Leichen; CHEN Yingzi; ZHU Yong; ZHANG Hao; HUANG Yunping

doi:10.16861/j.cnki.zggc.2024.0533

Abstract：In order to investigate the relationship between color and carotenoids compositions and content change during the development of watermelon fruit with different flesh colors,this study took red,pink,yellow and orange watermelon as the research object,the color characteristic value of the fruit were characterized by chromometer at 7,14,21,28,35,42 and 49 days after pollination,respectively,and the carotenoida components and content were also measured. The results showed that during the development of watermelon fruit,red watermelon G42 and pink watermelon 23XZ-9 mainly accu-mulated lycopene and β-carotene,orange watermelon 23XZ-8 mainly accumulated β-carotene and a small amount of lu-tein,yellow watermelon lanxin mainly accumulated lutein. In the tested watermelon materials,the content of carotenoids increased overall during fruit development as the fruit matured,but decreased gradually as the fruit overripened,but the in-crease of each component of carotenoids in watermelon with different flesh color was different. The change trend of color characteristic value of watermelon with different flesh color was similar to that of carotenoid content during fruit develop-ment. Correlation analysis showed that lycopene content was positively correlated with a* value,a*/b* value and chroma,and β-carotene content was positively correlated with b* value and chroma. The content of lutein was positively correlat-ed with b* and chroma. The study can provide theoretical basis for watermelon breeding with different flesh colors.