Bioavailability of Citrulline in Watermelon Flesh, Rind, and Skin Using a Human Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cell Model

Watermelon produces many byproducts (watermelon rind and skin) even though those components contain various bioactive compounds, including citrulline. This study evaluated the citrulline concentration, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity (DPPH FRAP assays) of different parts watermelon investigated bioavailability from using an in vitro human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Solid-phase extracted flesh, rind, skin samples were treated on a for 1, 2, 4 h. The collected basolateral solution at each time point was analyzed percentage transport. flesh had highest but content compared to other parts. showed greater % transport than L-citrulline standard. It may be due food matrices suggests that utilization by-products such as would help develop value-added products with better However, since this conducted model, more extensive research vivo studies will needed.