Citrullus sp. - Review of Options for Use
Some watermelon accessions in the USDA-ARS germplasm collection show a particular phenotype usually described by breeders as Egusi seed type. These accessions have been misclassified on occasion. Typically, Colocynthis citrullus [=Citrullus lanatus] has been confused with Citrullus colocynthis and as a result, the Egusi watermelon has been sometimes mistakenly considered a common name for colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis).
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus [=Colocynthis citrullus L.] is the cultivated watermelon, and can have Egusi phenotype. On the other hand, Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. is a different Citrullus species (commonly called colocynth) It should not be referred to as egusi melon. Colocynth grows wild in warm and arid areas of Africa and Asia.
The Egusi watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) is commonly known in Nigeria and the Congo as wild watermelon, Egusi melon, or Ibara. Egusi watermelon is widely cultivated in Nigeria, where the protein- and carbohydrate-rich seeds are used as a regular part of the diet. The fruit are not edible because of their bitter, hard, white flesh.
Note : Citrullus colocynthis fruit (Bitter Apple) is sometimes jokingly referred to as 'Camel Eggs'
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01.11.1998 In West Africa, the name Egusi is applied to members of the gourd family having seeds of high oil content. Egusi Melon plants closely resemble watermelon plants; both have a non climbing creeping habit and deeply cut lobed leaves. The pulp of the watermelon fruit, however, is sweet and edible...
- Abstract,Int. J. Curr. Res. Biosci. Plant Biol. 2015 The recent trend of moving away from synthetic or chemical-based treatments, towards more nature-based remedies has not at all been condemned, with efficacy, safety, relative availability and affordability taking sides with the later. The seed...
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Abstract,Asian Journal of Science and Technology, 2014 March Egusi melon is an annual herbaceous, monoecous plant which is grown mostly in tropical regions. It is up to 28% protein and 35% fats, with about 72% by weight unsaturated fatty acids, and 57.4% of it being polyunsaturated fatty acids...
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Abstract,The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness, 2007 Proximate, amino acid and mineral composition of Citrullus lanatus (egusi melon) flour were determined using standard analytical procedures. The proximate composition analysis of egusi melon showed that the seed contained (% dry...
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Abstract, Toxicology Reports, 2017 TheEgusi Okrasoup is a traditional African meal that is considered of high nutritional value and protective against weight loss. We introduce the concept of “kitchen toxicology” to analyse the recipe of theEgusi Okrasoup and highlight possible mitigation...
- Naturally occurring,colocynthis prepared from the dried pulp of the fruit ofCitrullus colocynthis, a Mediterranean and African herbaceous vine related to the watermelon. Its medicinal benefit as a laxative (cathartic, purgative) was originally reported in the 19thCenturyFelter and Lloyd (1898)....
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Alzarah, M.I.; Althobiati, F.; Abbas, A.O.; Mehaisen, G.M.K.; Kamel, N.N.Citrullus colocynthisSeeds: A Potential Natural Immune Modulator Source for Broiler Reared under Chronic Heat Stress.Animals2021,11, 1951. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071951 Chronic heat-stress exposure directly affects...
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Cheng, Xiaotian, Minni Qin, Rongrong Chen, Yunxia Jia, Qing Zhu, Guangtong Chen, Andong Wang, Bai Ling, and Weiwei Rong. 2023. "Citrullus colocynthis(L.) Schrad.: A Promising Pharmaceutical Resource for Multiple Diseases"Molecules28, no. 17: 6221. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176221...
- Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad, commonly known as Colocynth, a member of Cucurbitaceae is native to Mediterranean region and Asia. It is a wild, perennial, herbaceous, non-tough, harsh, angular vine with lobular tendrils, alternate leaves and small yellow monoecious flowers. Recently, various...
- Li QY, Munawar M, Saeed M, Shen JQ, Khan MS, Noreen S, Alagawany M, Naveed M, Madni A, Li CX.Citrullus colocynthis(L.) Schrad (Bitter Apple Fruit): Promising Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Effects, Aspects, and Potential Applications. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 25;12:791049. doi:...
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Rao, V., Poonia, A.Citrullus colocynthis(bitter apple): bioactive compounds, nutritional profile, nutraceutical properties and potential food applications: a review.Food Prod Process and Nutr5, 4 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43014-022-00118-9 Herbal remedies and related foods provide healing...
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Mohamed SNA, Montasser AA, Baioumy Ali AA. Acaricidal effect of Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract on the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Koch, 1844). Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2022 Sep;13(5):101995. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101995. Epub 2022 Jun 26. PMID: 35780609. The hard tick Hyalomma...
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In traditional Arab veterinary medicine, colocynth sap wasused to treat skin eruptions in camels. Low doses of its seeds and fruit can reduce blood glucose levels. Higher doses are associated with side-effects like colonic inflammation and rectal bleeding.
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Heuzé V.,Tran G.,Lebas F., 2021.Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis). Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO.https://www.feedipedia.org/node/594Last updated on November 20, 2021, 16:00 Common names Bitter apple, colocynth, vine of Sodom, wild gourd [English]; kolokwint, kwintappel,...