Distribution of Sugars and Organic Acids Within Ripe Watermelon Fruit

Abstract
Concentrations of the major sugars and organic acids within ripe ‘Charleston Gray’ and ‘Jubilee’ watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] flesh were quantified in 5 different regions. The percentage of soluble solids (%SS) in both cultivars and the percentage of sucrose in ‘Charleston Gray’ were highest in the heart region, followed by the blossom end, and lowest in the stem end. Glucose, malic acid, and citric acid were generally higher in the heart and blossom end compared to the stem end, while fructose was higher in the blossom end than stem end. No significant differences between the top side and the soil side were found for any of the sugars or organic acids. Fructose was the major sugar in all regions in ‘Jubilee’, whereas the major sugar in ‘Charleston Gray’ (sucrose or fructose) depended on the region. Malic acid was the primary organic acid in all regions of both cultivars.

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