In vitro characterization of the candidate prebiotic potential of melon and watermelon seeds: strain-specific fermentation and targeted metabolic profiling
Open Life Sciences, cilt.21, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1515/biol-2025-1386
- Dergi Adı: Open Life Sciences
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Directory of Open Access Journals, Zoological Record
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Citrullus lanatus seed, Cucumis melo seed, prebiotic, short-chain fatty acid, strain-specific fermentability, sugar bioconversion
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study evaluated water-extractable fractions of melon (Cucumis melo) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seeds as candidate prebiotic substrates using a controlled in vitro monoculture model. Fermentative responses of five probiotic strains were assessed through growth kinetics, pH, prebiotic activity score (PAS), sugar utilization, and lactic acid and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles. Substrate, strain, and fermentation time, along with their interactions, significantly affected microbial growth and metabolic responses (p < 0.01). PAS values demonstrated distinct strain-substrate selectivity: watermelon seed elicited a strong positive response in B. bifidum but a negative response in L. casei. Despite an overall reduction in sugars at the end of fermentation, utilization patterns differed by strain; L. acidophilus was distinguished by fructose consumption, particularly in watermelon seed, and by galactose consumption in melon seed. Metabolite profiles did not directly correspond with growth responses; the watermelon seed-L. casei combination was notable for lactic acid production, while the highest total SCFA was generated in glucose medium and among probiotics by L. acidophilus. The results indicate that seed fractions do not exhibit a general superiority in fermentation but rather exhibit selective utilization patterns that differ along the axes of strain and metabolic response.