Effects of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus extracts on glucose level, lipid profile and hepato-renal performance of streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats.

Diabetes mellitus, recognized by elevated glucose level in the body fluids is commonly caused by less insulin production or its action. To overcome the complications of diabetes, chemical drugs are never preferred over herbal medicines. Present study was designed to find out the anti-diabetic and health-promoting effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus in induced-diabetic albino rats. Thirty male albino rats were bought from the animal house of the university and divided randomly into five feeding groups (n=6). Diabetes was induced in rats of groups A, B, C & D by a single dose of intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/Kg), whereas, the rats of group E were considered as control. The rats of groups A, B & C were fed basal diet supplemented with plant extracts (150mg/Kg body weight), whereas; only basal diet was offered to rats of groups D & E. After 28 days of the experiment, blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Results revealed that body weight, glucose, AST, ALB, GGT, HDL, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and creatinine level differed significantly among treatment groups. It was therefore concluded that ethanolic leaf extracts of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus can be used separately or in combination for the management of diabetes.

Cucumis melo seed oil: agro-food by-product with natural anti-hyperlipidemic potential.

BACKGROUND: Sweet melon (Cucumis melo) seed is generally considered as agro-waste, however, the current study aimed to use this waste as a valuable oil source. The seed oil extracted by two different extraction techniques (cold press and solvent extraction) was investigated for its anti-hyperlipidemic potential. Hyperlipidemic rabbits were fed on the diet supplemented with sweet melon seed oil for 6 weeks (42 days) and thoroughly examined for the change in their lipid profile. RESULTS: The blood lipid profile indicated a significant decrease in total cholesterol triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) contents of blood in hyperlipidemic rabbits fed on the diet supplemented with sweet melon seed oils while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) contents showed a noteworthy increase during the study period. CONCLUSION: Cucumis melo seed oil can be used to control hyperlipidemia without restricting the intake of lipids in diet. Solvent extraction provided better results regarding extraction yield and product functionality than cold press method. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

An Analytical Method for the Biomonitoring of Mercury in Bees and Beehive Products by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry.

Bees and their products are useful bioindicators of anthropogenic activities and could overcome the deficiencies of air quality networks. Among the environmental contaminants, mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living organisms. The first aim of this study was to develop a simple analytical method to determine Hg in small mass samples of bees and beehive products by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The proposed method was optimized for about 0.02 g bee, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly, 0.05 g beeswax and honey, or 0.1 g honeydew with 0.5 mL HCl, 0.2 mL HNO3, and 0.1 mL H2O2 in a water bath (95 °C, 30 min); samples were made up to a final volume of 5 mL deionized water. The method limits sample manipulation and the reagent mixture volume used. Detection limits were lower than 3 µg kg-1 for a sample mass of 0.02 g, and recoveries and precision were within 20% of the expected value and less than 10%, respectively, for many matrices. The second aim of the present study was to evaluate the proposed method's performances on real samples collected in six areas of the Lazio region in Italy.

High-quality pectin from cantaloupe waste: eco-friendly extraction process, optimization, characterization and bioactivity measurements.

BACKGROUND: The rind from cantaloupe is an agricultural waste of cantaloupe industrial processing. The current study tried to (i) evaluate the potential use of cantaloupe rind as a pectin source, (ii) optimize the factors of microwave-assisted extraction process using Box-Behnken design, and (iii) characterize the isolated pectin using various physicochemical, structural, functional and bioactivity properties. RESULTS: Four variables of the extraction process were successfully optimized at a microwave power of 700 W, irradiation time of 112 s, pH value of 1.50 and liquid to solid (LS) value of 30 mL g-1 , with a yield of 181.4 g kg-1 . The analysis indicated a high-methylated galacturonic acid-rich (703.4 g kg-1 ) sample with an average molecular weight of 390.475 kDa. Also, the isolated pectin showed considerable functionality and antioxidant ability. The main functional groups, structural characteristics and crystallinity of samples were comparatively studied using Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction spectroscopies. CONCLUSION: In comparison to commercial citrus pectin, isolated pectin showed a significantly higher value for most of the functional analysis such as oil holding capacity, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and reducing power assay. In other analyses the isolated sample was close to the commercial one, indicating that cantaloupe rinds should be considered as a suitable additional resource for pectin production. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Foliar application of putrescine before a short-term heat stress improves the quality of melon fruits (Cucumis melo L.).

BACKGROUND: Climate change has caused an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, worldwide, which subject plants to thermal stress for short periods; this can affect the quality of melon fruits, both negatively and positively. Since the application of putrescine has been shown to help increase tolerance of abiotic stresses, the objective of this work is to determine the effects of the foliar application of putrescine (1.5 and 5 mmol L-1 ) before a short heat stress (HS) on the quality of melon fruits. RESULTS: The results indicate that HS had a positive effect on the quality of melon fruits, since it increased the total sugars and polyamines contents and the antioxidant capacity, and reduced the presence of substances undesirable in foods such as nitrate. However, the fruit quality was further increased by the combination of HS and putrescine (5 mmol L-1 ). In this case, the melon fruits showed increases in their antioxidant capacity and contents of polyamines, amino acids and minerals beneficial to health. The nitrate concentration was even lower than in the control fruits. CONCLUSION: This novel study highlights the possibility of improving the nutritional quality of melon pulp by applying foliar putrescine in combination with a short period of high temperature. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Placental tissue of greenhouse muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) contains more gamma-aminobutyric acid with antioxidant capacity than the fleshed pulp.

Our previous study revealed that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in Earl's muskmelon is more concentrated in the inner than the outer parts of the fruit. Here, the GABA and antioxidant capacity of the placental tissue of muskmelon, which is considered waste, were evaluated for possible use as a source of bioactive compounds. The concentrations of GABA and related substances in the placental tissue were significantly higher than in the fleshed pulp, whereas glutamic acid and sugar levels were significantly lower. The two sites showed no difference in GAD activity. Furthermore, the placental site showed high antioxidant capacities based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and oxygen radical absorbance capacity for hydrophilic compounds assays compared with the fleshed pulp, because of the higher levels of total phenolic and L-ascorbic acids. Therefore, the placental tissue of muskmelons may be useful for developing functional foods, which would also reduce the amount of residues during muskmelon processing.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and toxic effects of ethanol extracts of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus seeds.

Plants are vital in drug discovery, since many safe and bioactive molecules have been discovered from plants in past, hence this study was designed to evaluate analgesic, anti-inflammatory and toxic effects of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus. Seeds of these plants were selected due to their traditional value for medicinal use. Analgesic activity was determined in mice by Eddy's Hot plate and tail flick method, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by hind paw edema method. Both seed extracts produced highly significant analgesic effects comparable to standard drugs at all three doses by both methods. The extract of C. lanatus showed significant anti-inflammatory activity at 100 mg while showed highly significant activity at 200 mg between 3 to 24 hours as compared to standard drugs. Both extracts did not reveal any mortality up to 1000mg/kg, while there was also no change in normal the gross behavior pattern of the animals at the dose of 50 and 100mg/kg, however there was increase in passivity, sedation and startle response at 200mg/kg. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts may be due to presence of cucurbitacin A, B or E in both seeds which are thought to inhibit COX 2. Results indicate that seeds of C. melo and C. lanatus may be effectively used as adjuvant analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents in situation of chronic pain and inflammation.

Green synthesized-zinc oxide nanoparticles, the strong apoptosis inducer as an exclusive antitumor agent in murine breast tumor model and human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7).

PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to synthesize and investigate the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONPs) on both human and murine breast cancer cell lines and define their untoxic concentrations (IC50 ) to clarify their apoptotic properties and introduce them as the anticancer agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro study was initiated by ZnONPs green synthesizing process applying the Cucumis melo inodorus rough shell extract, and verified by the transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. In following, the human (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 [MCF7]) and murine (TUBO) breast cancer cell lines were cultured for taking the time and dose-dependent treatment planes by ZnONPs. Also, MCF7 cell cultures were treated by three different doses of ZnoNPs (8, 4, and 2 µg/mL) separately and prepared for genes expression (Cas-3 and Cas-8) analysis using real-time quantitative PCR method. The in vivo initiated by providing the 39 murine breast cancer models, then they were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of ZnONPs (75, 50, and 25 mg/kg) treatments. Then their collected biopsies were stained by hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate their breast cancer tissue morphology and compare with Tamoxifen anticancer properties. RESULTS: The in vitro study results demonstrate a significant correlation among the expression of Cas-3 and Cas-8 genes with increasing ZnONPs concentrations. The results of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays for the treated cancer cell lines (MCF7 and TUBO) detected a significant negative correlation among the ZnONPs concentrations and the viability of the cells. CONCLUSION: Unlike the majority of resent studies, we found the ZnONPs as a powerful apoptosis inducer in the human cell line (MCF7) and murine (TUBO cell line and cancer model).

Identification and characterization of the Cucurbitacins, a novel class of small-molecule inhibitors of Tropomyosin receptor kinase a.

BACKGROUND: NGF-TrkA is well known to play a key role in propagating and sustaining pruritogenic signals, which form the pathology of chronic pruritus. Inhibition of NGF-TrkA is a known strategy for the treatment of pruritus. In the present paper, we describe the identification, in vitro characterization, structure-activity analysis, and inhibitory evaluation of a novel TrkA inhibitory scaffold exemplified by Cucurbitacins (Cus). METHODS: Cus were identified as TrkA inhibitors in a large-scale kinase library screen. To obtain structural models of Cus as TrkA inhibitors, AutoDock was used to explore their binding to TrkA. Furthermore, PC12 cell culture systems have been used to study the effects of Cus and traditional Chinese medicinal plants (Tian Gua Di and bitter gourd leaf) extracts on the kinase activity of TrkA. RESULTS: Cus block the phosphorylation of TrkA on several tyrosine sites, including Tyr490, Tyr674/675, and Tyr785, and inhibit downstream Akt and MAPK phosphorylation in response to NGF in PC12 cell model systems. Furthermore, traditional Chinese medicinal plants (Tian Gua Di and bitter gourd leaf) containing Cu extracts were shown to inhibit the phosphorylation of TrkA and Akt. These data reveal mechanisms, at least partly, of the anti-pruritus bioactivity of Cus. CONCLUSION: Taken together, with the recent discovery of the important role of TrkA as a therapeutic target, Cus could be the basis for the design of improved TrkA kinase inhibitors, which could someday help treat pruritus.

Application of microwave and ohmic heating for pasteurization of cantaloupe juice: microbial inactivation and chemical properties.

BACKGROUND: Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the most important dessert fruits and is cultivated in many countries of the world. The effects of microwave (400 and 800 W for 110 s), ohmic (100 and 200 V for 110 s) and conventional heating (27-75 °C for 30 min) treatments on inactivation of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus pathogens; pH and degradation of vitamin C, ß-carotene and phenolic compounds of cantaloupe juice were investigated. RESULTS: As time passed, all of the treatments resulted in significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases in the number of pathogens and vitamin C, ß-carotene and phenolic compound content, whereas the pH of samples did not show significant changes. The mentioned parameters were more reduced by increasing the power, voltage and temperature of ohmic, microwave and conventional heating treatments, respectively. Comparison of the results for conventional heating with those of ohmic and microwave heating revealed that the complete inactivation time of pathogens by the two latter treatments was much shorter than that of the former. After 20 s, the effect of ohmic heating at 200 V on decreasing vitamin C content was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that of the other treatments. The amounts of ß-carotene and phenolic compounds showed the most reduction under 800 W microwave treatment. CONCLUSION: The results obtained for conventional, ohmic and microwave heating treatments indicated a higher degradation of ß-carotene and phenolic compounds and a lower loss of vitamin C in the former. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytochemical profile, nutraceutical potential and functional properties of Cucumis melo L. seeds.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the amino acids, phenolic compounds and volatile compounds in Maazoun melon seeds. The functional properties of melon seed flour, such as bulk density, swelling capacity, emulsifying capacity, and foaming capacity were also determined. RESULTS: The findings proved that the functional properties of melon seeds make them useful for incorporation into different food formulations to improve their functionality. The determination of the amino acid composition of melon seeds showed that glutamic acid (205.23 g kg-1 ), arginine (130.44 g kg-1 ), and tryptophan (129.91 g kg-1 ) were the major amino acids of the protein fraction. Chromatographic analysis indicated that phenolic acids (47.78%) constituted the main phenolic class, followed by flavonoids (27.15%). Naringenin-7-O-glycoside and gallic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of the volatile compounds demonstrated that esters and terpenoids were the main volatile groups. The study of histological structures showed that melon seeds consist of three distinguishable parts: tegument, endosperm cells, and almond. CONCLUSION: The results obtained revealed that melon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds may be a potential source of bioactive compounds and natural substances with nutritive value and functional properties of interest to industrial applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

HPLC Analysis and In Vivo Renoprotective Evaluation of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cucumis melo Seeds in Gentamicin-Induced Renal Damage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cucumis melo, of family Cucurbitaceae, has traditionally been used to treat variety of kidney disorders. However to best of our knowledge there is no scientific study available that validates its renaoprotective uses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate nephroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds (CMHE) and to identify its phytoconstituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HPLC was performed to identify key phytochemicals of CMHE. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, i.p) was administered to induce nephrotoxicity in Swiss albino mice for 8 days. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, i.p) and oral CMHE were co-administered to mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg to evaluate protective effects of CMHE. Normal control group mice were administered normal saline. Changes in body weights, biochemical and histopathological studies were conducted to establish nephroprotective effects of CMHE. Results: HPLC analysis indicated presence of quercetin, m-coumaric acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid in CMHE. Mice treated with CMHE showed significant increase in body weight and decrease in kidney weight as compared with toxic control group. Dose-dependent significant decrease in total blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum urea, and uric acid levels were observed in CMHE-treated groups as compared with toxic control group. Histopathological analysis of CMHE-treated groups showed improvement in kidney structures as compared with toxic control group. Conclusions: Biochemical, histopathological, and phytochemical screening of hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds suggest that it has nephroprotective potential. Furthermore, standardization of extract against identified phytochemicals, as well as long-term toxicological studies are suggested before commencement of clinical trials.

Chromatographic determination, decline dynamic and risk assessment of sulfoxaflor in Asian pear and oriental melon.

The dissipation pattern of sulfoxaflor in Asian pear cultivated in an open field conditions and in oriental melon grown under plastic house conditions was each studied in two different locations. Residues in field-treated samples were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with an ultraviolet detector and confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A calibration curve for sulfoxaflor was linear over the concentration range 0.1-5.0 mg/L, with a coefficient of determination of 0.9999. The limits of detection and quantification (LOQ) were 0.007 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Recoveries at three fortification levels (LOQ, 10 × LOQ and maximum residue limit) ranged from 70.5 to 86.2%, with a relative standard deviation ≤5.8%. The dissipation half-lives were 10.8 and 7.9 days in pear and 5.4 and 5.9 days in oriental melon, at sites 1 and 2, respectively. Based on a pre-harvest residue limit curve, it was predicted that, if the residues at 10 days before harvest in Asian pear are <0.54/0.61 mg/kg and those in oriental melon are <1.43/1.26 mg/kg, then the residue level will be below the maximum residue limit at harvest. Risk assessment at zero days showed a percentage acceptable daily intake of 10.80% in Asian pear and 1.77 and 1.55% in oriental melon, for sites 1 and 2, respectively. These values indicate that the fruits are safe for consumption.

Fruit flesh volatile and carotenoid profile analysis within the Cucumis melo L. species reveals unexploited variability for future genetic breeding.

BACKGROUND: Aroma profile and carotenoids content of melon flesh are two important aspects influencing the quality of this fruit that have been characterized using only selected genotypes. However, the extant variability of the whole species remains unknown. RESULTS: A complete view of the volatile/carotenoid profiles of melon flesh was obtained analyzing 71 accessions, representing the whole diversity of the species. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to analyze 200 volatile compounds and five carotenoids. Genotypes were classified into two main clusters (high/low aroma), but with a large diversity of differential profiles within each cluster, consistent with the ripening behavior, flesh color and proposed evolutionary and breeding history of the different horticultural groups. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the huge amount of untapped aroma diversity of melon germplasm, especially of non-commercial types. Also, landraces with high nutritional value with regard to carotenoids have been identified. All this knowledge will encourage melon breeding, facilitating the selection of the genetic resources more appropriate to develop cultivars with new aromatic profiles or to minimize the impact of breeding on melon quality. The newly characterized sources provide the basis for further investigations into specific genes/alleles contributing to melon flesh quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Postharvest gaseous ozone treatment enhances quality parameters and delays softening in cantaloupe melon during storage at 6 °C.

BACKGROUND: A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of postharvest gaseous ozone (O3 ) treatment on quality parameters and cell wall enzymes of cantaloupe melon cv. Caldeo during storage at 6 °C for 13 days. Fruits were kept in cold storage and treated with 0.15 ppm gaseous O3 during the day and 0.3 ppm overnight; control fruits (CK) were stored in normal atmosphere. RESULTS: Firmness was higher and ethylene concentration significantly lower in O3 fruits compared with CK fruits. During storage, microbial counts were lower in both O3 and CK fruits; from day 9, O3 fruits showed a significant decrease in mesophilic aerobes. Additionally, total carotenoids had a tendency to be higher, with no significant differences between CK and O3 fruits. The same trend was observed for ascorbic acid, colour, total soluble solids content and acidity. Finally, O3 treatment reduced the activities of cell wall enzymes α-arabinopyranosidase, ß-galactopyranosidase and polygalacturonase starting from day 3 of storage. Pectin methyl esterase activity did not seem to be affected by O3 treatment. CONCLUSION: Gaseous O3 treatment during cold storage was effective in decreasing ethylene production and delaying fruit softening in cantaloupe melon by extending quality maintenance. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Prophylactic mechanisms of Cucumis melo var. flexuosus and Phoenix dactylifera fruit extracts against diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this investigation was to study the antidiabetic impact of Cucumis melo var. flexuosus and/or Phoenix dactylifera fruit aqueous extracts and their mechanisms in repressing diabetes induced cardio-myopathy in diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was promoted in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30mg/kg body wight). C. flexuosus and P. dactylifera extracts (200mg/kg body weight, each) were ingested to diabetic rats daily for a month. The results showed that ingestion of either plant extract or their combination to diabetic rats significantly diminished the glucose level and boosted the insulin concentration in the blood. The plant extracts markedly ameliorated the serum inflammatory molecules, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and C -reactive protein (CRP), as well as the alteration in the cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The extracts attenuated the increase in cardiac apoptosis enzyme (caspase -3) and the oxidative DNA fragmentation. Treating diabetic rats with plant extracts also scaled down the serum cardiac function enzyme, creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB). The biochemical results were confirmed by histopathological examination. This study has proven that both the plant extracts particularly their combination have potential hypoglycemic effect and could attenuate cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats.

Dissipation kinetics and pre-harvest residue limit of pyriofenone in oriental melon (Cucumis melo Var. makuwa) grown under regulated climatic conditions.

A high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection was used to estimate the disappearance rates as well as the pre-harvest residue limits of pyriofenone in oriental melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa) grown under greenhouse conditions in two different locations (A and B) in Seongju, Republic of Korea. The identity of the compound in standard solution and representative field incurred samples was confirmed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, accuracy (expressed as recovery) and precision (expressed as relative standard deviation) for accurate and precise quantitation. Notably, the residual levels of field incurred samples collected over days 0-10 post-application were below the maximum residue level (0.2 mg/kg) established by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Site A showed lower residue levels and a higher decline rate than site B, which might be attributed to seasonal variation (high temperature) and increased metabolic and enzyme profiling in the mature fruits. The half-lives were similar, 4.9 and 4.3 days, at sites A and B, respectively. Using the pre-harvest residue limit, we predicted the residue amounts at 10 and 5 days before harvest, which resulted in concentrations lower than the provisional maximum residue level at harvest time.

Effect of ultrasonic processing on the changes in activity, aggregation and the secondary and tertiary structure of polyphenol oxidase in oriental sweet melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino).

BACKGROUND: Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) mainly contributes to the browning reaction of fruits and vegetables and causes serious damage to the quality of sweet melon products. However, traditional methods to inactivate browning may induce more unexpected risks than ultrasonic processing. Meanwhile, there are no reports on the effect of ultrasound on PPO directly purified from sweet melon. RESULTS: The PPO in the original juice was less inactivated than the purified form when treated with ultrasound. As for purified PPO, superior to thermal treatment, less heat was needed to inactivate the PPO with ultrasonic treatment. At intensity lower than 200 W, ultrasound did not significantly affect the structure and activity of PPO (P > 0.05), and latent PPO was activated. At intensity higher than 200 W, ultrasound inactivated PPO, induced aggregation and dissociation of PPO particles and significantly decreased the α-helix structure content. CONCLUSION: Low-frequency high-intensity ultrasound caused an inactivation effect and conformational changes of purified PPO from oriental sweet melons. Changes in the PPO structure induced by ultrasound eventually inactivated the enzyme. Ultrasound may be a potential method to inactivate PPO in oriental sweet melons. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antipyretic effects of hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach Linn. seeds and Cucumis melo Linn. seeds in experimental rabbits.

To investigate the antipyretic activity of hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach Linn. (HMEMA) seeds and Cucumis melo Linn. (HMECM) seeds in experimental animals. Baker's yeast was used to induce fever in rabbits which were divided into six groups. The animal groups were thereafter administered distilled water (control), paracetamol (reference standard, 150mg/kg), HMEMA (250mg/kg), HMEMA (500mg/kg), HMECM (250mg/kg) and HMECM (500mg/kg) respectively. HMEMA and HMECM were also phytochemically screened for tannins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Results indicate that hydro-methanol extract of M. azedarach Linn. Seeds (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001, p<0.05 respectively) reduced the elevated body temperature in dose dependant manner. Insignificant to no antipyretic effect was produced by hydro-methanol extract of Cucumis melo L. seeds. Phytochemical analysis of the HMEMA showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides While HMECM was positive for flavonoids, phenols and saponins. The result shows that there exists a potential benefit in utilizing Melia azedarach L. seeds in treating fever. This property can be attributed to the presence of phytochemical constituents present in the hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach L. seeds and the exact mechanism need to be evaluated.

Survival and Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on Fresh-Cut "Athena" and "Rocky Ford" Cantaloupes During Storage at 4°C and 10°C.

Cantaloupes, marketed as "Rocky Ford," were implicated in the U.S. multistate outbreak of listeriosis in 2011, which caused multiple fatalities. Listeria monocytogenes can survive on whole cantaloupes and can be transferred to the flesh of melons. The growth of L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut "Athena" and "Rocky Ford" cantaloupe cultivars during refrigerated storage was evaluated. Fresh-cut cubes (16.4 cm3) from field-grown cantaloupes were each inoculated with 5 log10 CFU/mL of a multi-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes and stored at 4°C or 10°C. Inoculated fresh-cut cubes were also: (1) continuously stored at 4°C for 3 days; (2) temperature-abused (TA: 25°C for 4 h) on day 0; or (3) stored at 4°C for 24 h, exposed to TA on day 1, and subsequently stored at 4°C until day 3. L. monocytogenes populations on fresh-cut melons continuously stored at 4°C or 10°C were enumerated on selected days for up to 15 days and after each TA event. Brix values for each cantaloupe variety were determined. L. monocytogenes populations on fresh-cut cantaloupe cubes stored at 4°C increased by 1.0 and 3.0 log10 CFU/cube by day 7 and 15, respectively, whereas those stored at 10°C increased by 3.0 log10 CFU/cube by day 7. Populations of L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut cantaloupes stored at 10°C were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those stored at 4°C during the study. L. monocytogenes showed similar growth on fresh-cut "Athena" and "Rocky Ford" cubes, even though "Athena" cubes had significantly higher Brix values than the "Rocky Ford" fruit. L. monocytogenes populations on fresh-cut cantaloupes exposed to TA on day 1 and then refrigerated were significantly greater (0.74 log10 CFU) than those stored continuously at 4°C for 3 days. Storage at 10°C or exposure to TA events promoted growth of L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut cantaloupe during refrigerated storage.