ABSTRACT

 This work examined the impact of two most commonly used methods of shelling melon seed (hand and machine shelling methods) on nutrient composition of the shelled melon seed. Equal portions of carefully sorted seeds were shelled using hand (manual) and machine (automatic). The resultant seeds were analyzed for functional, proximate, mineral vitamin and pasting properties using standard methods. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using studentized T-test for comparing two (2) means. Result of functional properties showed that bulk density of hand-shelled melon was 0.42 g/cm3 while it is 0.46g/cm3 for the machine shelled melon seeds, water absorption capacity of the samples was 1.20g/ml for hand shelled melon seeds and 1.05g/ml machine shelled melon seeds, The functional properties results showed significant difference (p<0.05) with hand shelled melon seeds scored higher in the oil absorption capacity with value of 0.95g/ml while machine shelled melon seed had 0.80g/ml, swelling index of 2.75g/cm for hand shelled melon seed and 2.55g/cm and emulsion capacity of 86.50% for the manual shelled melon seed while emulsion capacity of 81.00% was recorded for the machine shelled seeds. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in bulk density 0.42 for hand shelled and 0.45 for machined shelled, while there was significant difference (p<0.05) in water and oil absorption capacities with values of 1.05-1.20 and 0.80-0.95 respectively. Result of proximate composition showed moisture content range of 2.10 to 2.70, ash 2.80 to 3.10, fat 46.85 to 48.30, fibre 6.330 to 7.20, protein 26.30 to 27.33 while carbohydrates ranged from 12.88 to 14.15. There was no significant difference in mineral and vitamin contents ofthe melon seeds except for phosphorus and potassium. Pasting property results of seeds showed comparable values in peak, breakdown and setback viscosities as well as in pasting temperature. Whereas trough, final viscosities and pasting differed significantly (p<0.05) from each other with values of 121.17 - 133.11 RVU, 399.14 - 420.16 RVU and 5.91 to 6.60 sec respectively.