Analytical traceability of Reggio Emilia watermelon

The consumer’s demand for the quality and safety fresh fruits and vegetables has been increasing due to the ease of intake and nutritional benefits. Epidemiological studies have correlated the consumption of bioactive ingredients with declining the incidence of several physiological threats. It is known that the amount of each compounds in fruits and vegetables have a significant impact on the quality of the product and it’s strongly influenced by genotype differences and external factors such as agro-technical processes, environmental conditions, ripening degree at harvest and post harvest manipulation. Watermelon consumption helps to regulate acid-base equilibrium, removes/lowers the cholesterol level, has strong diuretic tendencies (removes excess water from the body, contribute to clearing the kidneys/prevents the formation of bladder stones, kidney stones among others. It is an important source of potassium and many micronutrients. The aim of the present research was the chemotyping of watermelon of Reggio Emilia. The Reggio Emilia district has always been suited for the watermelon’s cultivation and the Reggio Emilia’s watermelon quality was identified in the soil characteristics and the highly specialized producers. The research project has been developed in three years and was finalized to obtain the IGP certification. The variation of proximate composition (proteins, brix degree, mineral content), minor secondary bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, polyphenols) and antioxidant capacity was evaluated in relation to soil composition, genotype (var. Myiako, Topgun, Sentinel) and production years. The statistically treatment of the results allowed us to assess the chemotype, the quality of Reggio Emilia watermelon and to obtain analytical traceability of the product.