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Original Article 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 34, n. 6, p. 1622-1631, Nov./Dec. 2018 

MINERALS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BITTER MELON 

FRUITS AND ITS COMPONENTS IN SOME INDIGENOUS AND EXOTIC 

CULTIVARS 

 

ANÁLISE FITOQUÍMICA E DE MINERAIS DE FRUTOS DE MELÃO AMARGO E 
SEUS COMPONENTES EM ALGUNS CULTIVARES INDÍGENAS E EXÓTICOS 

 

MAHWISH
1
; Farhan SAEED

1
; Mahr un NISA

1
; Muhammad Tahir NADEEM

1 

1. Institute of Home and Food Sciences, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan. 
 

ABSTRACT: The present study was designed to compare the mineral contents and phytochemicals in fruits of 
some indigenous and exotic bitter melon cultivars. Skin, flesh, seeds and whole fruit of each cultivar were dried at room 
temperature and ground to fine powder which was packed separately in air-tight plastic jars for analysis. The data revealed 
that all the cultivars possessed appreciable amount of minerals. Indigenous cultivars possessed higher mineral contents 
than the exotic cultivars. Black King was found to be desirable cultivar with high amount of potassium, phosphorous, 
magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc with values of 258.83, 92.92, 46.74, 48.42, 3.90 and 1.78 mg/100g, respectively. 
Among fruit parts, flesh portion was rich in potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and calcium followed by skin 
and seed. The seeds possessed relatively high amount of iron (4.44 mg/100g) and zinc (2.80 mg/100g). On the whole, flesh 
part of Black King is predominated in mineral profile while least quantity was observed in the seeds of Noor. All the 
cultivars possessed same types of phytochemicals although may vary in their abundance. Phenols, flavanoids, saponins 
and ascorbic acid were present in abundance in skin and flesh while seeds were found rich in alkaloids and glycoalkaloid. 
The variations in the chemical composition in fruit and components due to changes in agro-climatic conditions suggest that 
there is scope for developing cultivars to be grown in wide range of agronomic, climatic and geographic conditions with 
no effect on its nutrient and phytochemical profile. 
 

KEYWORDS: Bitter melon. Momordica charantia. Minerals. Phytochemicals. 
 
INTRODUCTION 

  
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is a 

climbing perennial, tendril-bearing vine belongs to 
family Cucurbitaceae. Bitter melon is also known as 
Karella, bitter gourd, balsam-pear, bitter squash or 
wild cucumber (KRAWINKEL; KEDING, 2006) 
and is characterized by elongated, warty fruit-like 
gourds or cumbers which are extensively consumed 
as vegetable (ASSUBAIE; EL-GARAWANY, 
2004). In ancient times, bitter melon was used as a 
folk medicine to cure variety of ailments. This 
versatile plant is considered to be commendable of 
treating almost any disease inflicted on mankind. 
This may be due to the fact that the plant possesses 
hundreds of different phytochemical constituents 
having medicinal values (TAYLOR, 2002). In 
addition to cure diseases, it is rich in minerals that 
are required for proper functioning of body. 

Calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, 
manganese, iron, and zinc are found in reasonable 
amount in bitter melon (BAKARE et al., 2010). 
These minerals are vital in proper functioning of 
body as calcium has a pivotal role in muscle 
contraction, in the formation of bone and teeth and 
in clotting of blood in trauma (PETERS; MARTINI, 
2010). Zinc and magnesium are helpful as cofactor 

in many enzymetic controlled catalytic reactions 
within the body (AHMED; CHAUDHARY, 2009). 
Potassium, calcium and zinc play important roles in 
stimulation of beta cells of islets of Langerhans to 
release insulin (KAR et al., 1999). Intracellular and 
extracellular fluid has sodium and potassium which 
has a role in maintaining electrolytic balance and 
fluidity across membranes (AHMED; 
CHAUDHARY, 2009).  

Iron is a fundamental component of 
hemoglobin, myoglobin and metalloenzymes 
(AHMED; CHAUDHARY, 2009), which is 
required for oxygen and CO2 transport during 
respiratory activity and cellular metabolism. To 
regulate changes in blood pH, this iron containing 
hemoglobin also serves as buffer (NAIK, 2016). 
Potassium is also valuable for cardiovascular health 
and regulation of water within the body. Zinc in 
bitter melon regulates normal functioning of 
immune system. Manganese which is essential 
mineral also found in bitter melon is an important 
element for a number of enzymes that are involved 
in production of energy and antioxidant defenses. 
Mitochondria require manganese for many enzymes 
to work against free radicals activities.  

Bitter melon is thought to beneficial for 
health and prevent from many diseases due to 

Received: 13/09/17 
Accepted: 15/08/18 



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presence of phytochemicals including flavonoids, 
phenols, terpenes, alkaloids, glucosinolates and 
isoflavones having antioxidant potential 
(DREWNOWSKI; GOMEZ-CARNEROS, 2000).  
It is also a huge reservoir of vitamin A, B-Complex, 
C, niacin and folate essential for many metabolic 
pathways. 

The assessment of mineral contents and 
phytochemicals is often become essential in many 
diet plan strategies. Due to globalization, cultivation 
of improved varieties ingress from other countries is 
a common practice. The main focus in cultivation of 
such cultivars is merely high yield without giving 
any attention to their nutrient quantity and phyto-
chemistry. No previous information is available 
regarding introduction of cultivars in a new habitat 
and subsequent impact on its mineral contents and 
phytochemicals. Hence, the present study aimed to 
assess the minerals and phytochemicals in fruits of 
different indigenous and exotic cultivars of bitter 
melon. Moreover, skin, flesh and seeds of the fruits 
were also evaluated to compare the relative 
abundance of these minerals and phytochemicals in 
these parts.  
 
MATERIAL AND METHODS 

 
The present study was carried out in the 

Institute of Home and Food Sciences at Government 
College University, Faisalabad. In this study, 
mineral and phytochemical analysis of whole fruit 
of different cultivars of bitter melon (Momordica 
charantia L.) as well as its parts i.e., skin, flesh and 
seeds was determined. 

 
Procurement of raw material  

Bitter melon cultivars viz., Noor and BG 20 
from India; Black King and FSD Long from 
Pakistan; KHBG-1 and GHBG-1 from China were 
grown in Vegetable Research Section, Ayub 
Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad. Selection 
of these cultivars was conceded on the basis of high 
yield, quality and freshness. Young fruits were 
collected for minerals and phytochemical analysis. 

 
Sample preparation 

The bitter melon fruits were washed 
thoroughly under running tap water to remove 
adhered dirt, dust and other foreign debris. After 
washing, some fruits of each cultivar were cut to 
small pieces as a whole. While some of the fruits of 
each cultivar were peeled separately and seeds were 
isolated and pulp was cut into small pieces. In this 
way, skin, flesh and seeds of each cultivar were 
obtained. These were dried at room temperature for 

few days. The dried materials were ground further 
to fine powder by using a small laboratory grinder 
(Panasonic, Japan, Model MJ-W176P) and passed 
through a sieve for further refining. After 
preparation of powder for each category, it was 
packed separately in air-tight plastic jars for further 
analysis. 

 
Mineral analysis 

The skin, flesh, seeds and whole fruit of all 
the cultivars were subjected to mineral analysis 
following the guidelines of AOAC (2006). The 
sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were assessed by 
Flame Photometer-410 (Sherwood Scientific Ltd., 
Cambridge) whilst, phosphorous (P), magnesium 
(Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were 
determined through Atomic Absorption 
Spectrophotometer (Varian AA240, Australia). 

 
Phytochemical screening 

Occurrence of phytochemicals in different 
samples was noted by following procedures. 
Phenols: Presence of phenols was assessed by using 
Folin-Ciocalteu method following the protocol of 
Singleton et al. (1999).  
Flavonoids: The flavonoid in bitter melon was 
recorded according to colorimetric method as 
described by Zou et al. (2004). 
Saponins: Preliminary evidence of Saponins was 
observed by noting froth production in solution as 
mentioned by Obadoni and Ochuko (2001).  
Alkaloids: To determine alkaloids in bitter melon 
samples, the method of Harborne (2005) was used. 
Ascorbic acid: Presence of Ascorbic acid (Vitamin 
C) was noted by titrating against phenol indo-2,6-
dichlorophenol, DPIP (Papuc et al., 2001). 
Glycoalkaloid: Glycoalkaloid was determined by 
the method of White (1987).  
 

Statistical analysis 

The results obtained were subjected to 
statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel 2010 and 
Statistix 8.1. Level of significance was determined 
by applying ANOVA and LSD for comparison. 
 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

 

Estimation of mineral contents 
The mean values regarding mineral contents 

in bitter melon cultivars (Table 1) depicted that the 
highest potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, 
calcium, iron and zinc were found in Black King. 
The FSD Long was found to be second best cultivar 
owing to rich mineral composition followed by BG 
20, KHBG-1, GHBG-1 and Noor.  



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Table 1. Comparative analysis of mineral contents in fruits of different bitter melon cultivars. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Superscript letters within the same column indicate significant differences (P< 0.05). 

      
Mineral contents in different parts (Table 2) 

revealed that the highest K, P, Mg, Na and Ca 
contents were observed in flesh followed by skin 

while seed contained the least amount of these 
minerals. On the other hand, seeds are rich source of 
Fe and Zn. 

 
Table 2. Comparative analysis of mineral contents in different parts of bitter melon fruit. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Superscript letters within the same row indicate significant differences (P< 0.05). 

 
The minerals in the skin of different 

cultivars (Figure 1) indicated that skin of Black 
King is rich in K, P, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn with values 
of 326.33, 125.00, 56.33, 62.33, 3.27 and 0.94 

 K P Mg Na Ca Fe Zn 

Noor 162.17e 59.58e 37.22c 51.05d 25.82d 3.38bc 1.35d 

BG 20 217.50c 74.74c 40.02b 57.61b 30.42c 3.34c 1.47bc 

Black King 258.83a 92.92a 46.74a 58.24b 48.42a 3.90a 1.78a 

FSD Long 235.42b 84.50b 40.53b 54.22c 41.44b 3.28c 1.50b 

KHBG-1 176.83d 68.50d 33.61d 61.81a 32.08c 3.50b 1.41cd 

GHBG-1 158.83f 52.08f 35.23cd 58.97b 39.69b 4.00a 1.35d 

 Skin Flesh Seeds 

K 261.78b 291.89a 25.61c 

P 88.78b 98.22a 20.49c 

Mg 45.89b 56.11a 3.23c 

Na 73.28b 84.11a 2.27c 

Ca 45.56b 53.42a 2.21c 

Fe 2.94c 3.29b 4.44a 

Zn 0.68c 0.84b 2.80a 



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mg/100g, respectively. Na was in abundance in KHBG-1 (83.33 mg/100g). 
 

 
Figure 1. Comparative mineral contents in the skin of different bitter melon cultivars. 
      

The mineral profile in the flesh part of 
different cultivars (Figure 2) highlighted that K, P, 
Mg, Ca and Zn were in abundance in Black King 
with values of 397.00, 128.67, 64.66, 70.33 and 0.97 
mg/100g while Na contents are high in FSD Long 
(91.00 mg/100g) and Fe contents in GHBG-1 (4.03 
mg/100g). 

The minerals in seed portion (Figure 3) 
showed that K, Mg and Zn were highest in Black 
King (37.33, 4.63 and 3.52 mg/100g, respectively). 
P and Fe found to be highest (28.67 and 4.91 
mg/100g, respectively) in KHBG-1 while BG 20 
possessed comparatively high values of Na (3.1 
mg/100g) and Ca (2.66 mg/100g). 

 

 
Figure. 2. Comparative mineral contents in the flesh of different bitter melon cultivars. 



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Figure 3. Comparative mineral contents in the seeds of different bitter melon cultivars. 
 

Bitter melon was found to be valuable 
source of macro and micro minerals. The results 
regarding potassium contents in fruits of some 
cultivars were in close conformity with the previous 
findings of Bangash et al. (2011), Islam et al. (2011) 
and Aslam et al. (2013) in which they reported 
higher amount of potassium. In another study, 
Horax et al. (2010) reported comparable results that 
potassium contents were much higher in pericarp 
than the seeds. However, recent investigation by 
Mathew et al. (2014) reported very low amount of 
potassium (3.17 mg/100g) in the seeds of bitter 
melon than the present results.  

The results regarding phosphorous contents 
are slightly different from the values given by 
Mathew et al. (2014) reported lower value of 
phosphorous (11.09±0.30 mg/100g) in the seeds of 
bitter melon than the current findings. This might be 
due to varietal differences as Ali et al. (2008) also 
showed differences regarding phosphorous contents 
in the seeds of three bitter melon cultivars. Similar 
findings were also reported by Anjum et al. (2013) 
by comparing seeds of two cultivars and found 
variations regarding phosphorus contents with 
values of  135.92 ± 3.86 µg/g and 146.19 ± 3.04 
µg/g, respectively. 

The present results about presence of 
magnesium in bitter melon fruits are in harmony 
with the findings of Bangash et al. (2011) showing 
31.00±0.10 mg/100g magnesium in this vegetable. 

The results are further strengthened by the work of 
Mathew et al. (2014) portraying lesser amount of 
magnesium (3.50 mg/100g) in the seeds of this 
bitterly taste fruit. In another report, Islam et al. 
(2011) described the lower magnesium 
concentration (16 mg/100g) in bitter melon. 
Previous findings by Ullah et al. (2011) on fruits of 
four cultivars of bitter melon showed considerably 
lower magnesium contents with values in the range 
of 0.99-1.10mg%. 

Bitter melon is suitable in diet plan 
strategies as it contained low amount of sodium. 
Mathew et al. (2014), and Bangash et al. (2011) also 
reported low amount of sodium in the seeds and 
edible fruit portion of bitter melon (2.10±0.00 and 
31±0.03 mg/100g). According to Horax et al. 
(2010), seed part contained lower amount of sodium 
than the flesh part.  Aslam et al. (2013) found lesser 
amount of sodium in bitter melon with value of 7.4 
ppm. Hussain et al. (2009) also depicted lesser 
amount of sodium 45.47 ppm in fruit part of this 
plant. 

Calcium played important role in bone 
formation and movement of muscles. The results of 
present mineral analysis regarding calcium 
(45±0.12mg/100g) are in agreement with the 
findings of Bangash et al. (2011). On the other hand, 
higher amount of calcium (137.69 mg/100g) was 
assessed by Soomro and Ansari (2005) in whole 
fruit of bitter melon. Ullah et al. (2011) quantified 



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calcium in different cultivars and found wide 
variations regarding calcium contents. They 
reported calcium contents in the range of 0.54±0.30-
7.00±0.25mg% in these cultivars. Mathew et al. 
(2014) found out that calcium in the seeds of bitter 
melon were 3.69±0.00 mg/100g which is in close 
conformity of the present results. Gayathri (2014) 
and Aslam et al. (2013) reported lesser amount of 
calcium in bitter melon. Anjum et al. (2013) studied 
seeds of two bitter melon cultivars and reported 
relatively large quantities of calcium (425.08 and 
399.81µg/g) than other minerals. Earlier, Ali et al. 
(2008) reported calcium contents in the seeds of 
three cultivars of bitter melon in the range of 
383.45-440.96 µg/g. 

Iron is a key element in the metabolism of 
almost all living organisms. In humans, iron is an 
essential component of hundreds of proteins and 
enzymes (Rout and Sahoo, 2015). Slightly higher 
value was reported by Bangash et al. (2011) for iron 
contents (7±0.07 mg/100g). However, in a recent 
study by Gayathri (2014) only 0.45±0.16 mg/100g 
of iron in the fruit of bitter melon was observed. 
Earlier, Islam et al. (2011) also analyzed bitter 
melon for iron contents and found 0.9 mg/100g in 
edible portion of bitter melon. Mathew et al. (2014) 
reported 22.44±0.04 mg/100g of iron in the seeds of 
bitter melon. Ali et al. (2008) reported iron contents 
of 41.10±1.13 µg/g, 42.57±1.47 µg/g and 
45.03±1.23 µg/g in their analysis on seeds of three 

cultivars of bitter melon. Similar findings were 
reported by Anjum et al. (2013) on the seeds of two 
bitter melon cultivars and reported iron contents of 
49.21 ± 1.02 µg/g and 43.06 ±1.04 µg/g.  

The results of present study regarding zinc 
contents are in agreement with the findings of 
Bangash et al. (2011) who reported 0.85±0.08 
mg/100g of zinc in bitter melon fruit. However, 
Ismail et al. (2011) calculated amount of zinc in 
bitter melon and found lesser amount (0.4 mg/100g) 
in fruit of this plant. Mathew et al. (2014) reported 
higher amount of zinc (3.45±0.30 mg/100g) in the 
seeds of bitter melon. Earlier, Anjum et al. (2013) 
reported zinc contents of 12.91±0.29 and 
10.88±0.31 in the seeds of two cultivars of bitter 
melon. Horax et al. (2010) showed higher amount of 
zinc in pericarp (33-57 µg/g) than the seed (12-22 
µg/g). 
 
Phytochemical screening 

Phytochemical analysis (Table 3) clearly 
revealed that different bitter melon cultivars 
possessed almost similar kinds of phytochemicals 
although their abundance may vary as in case of 
ascorbic acid contents. The data (Table 4) also 
indicated that phenols, flavanoids, saponins and 
ascorbic acid are present in abundance in skin and 
flesh while seeds are rich in alkaloids and 
glycoalkaloid. 

 
Table 3. Phytochemical analysis of different bitter melon cultivars. 

+ = indicates presence of chemical groups; +/+ = indicates abundance of chemical group; +/- = indicates paucity of chemical group. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Phenols Flavanoids Saponins Alkaloids 
Ascorbic 

acid 
Glycoalkaloid 

Noor + + + + +/- +/- 

BG 20 + + + + + +/- 

Black King + + + + + + +/- 

FSD Long + + + + + + +/- 

KHBG-1 + + + + + +/- 

GHBG-1 + + + + +/- +/- 



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Table 4. Phytochemical analysis of skin, flesh and seeds.  

+ = indicates presence of chemical groups; +/+ = indicates abundance of chemical group; +/- = indicates paucity of chemical group. 

 
Presence of phytochemicals in bitter melon 

suggests use of this plant for medicinal purposes. 
Previous reports also highlighted medicinal 
properties of these secondary metabolites (BANSO; 
ADEYEMI, 2007; TEMITOPE; OMOTAYO, 2012, 
OYEYEMI et al. 2014). The phytochemical profile 
in present study was similar to the earlier findings of 
Santhi et al. (2011) and Annapoorani and 
Manimegalai (2013). Presence of phenolic 
compounds are considered beneficial as they are 
helpful in boosting human health as well as decrease 
the risk of degenerative diseases by reduction of 
oxidative stress and inhibition of macromolecular 
oxidation (PEREIRA et al., 2007). Appreciable 
quantity of flavonoids has exhibited anti-oxidant, 
free radical scavenging activity and minimizes rapid 
proliferation of cells (FARQUAR, 1996). Saponins 
are important anti-carcinogenic agent, immune 
booster and helpful in lowering the cholesterol level 
(SODIPO et al., 2000). The presence of alkaloids 
suggests analgesic, anti-inflammatory and disease 
resistance properties of this plant (GUPTA, 1994).  

Bitter melon becomes valuable because it 
contained ascorbic acid which is required in high 
amount as it is a water-soluble vitamin and lost 
frequently from the body. Glycoalkaloid found 

particularly in the seeds is one of the anti-diabetic 
components of bitter melon (TAN et al., 2008). 

Bitter melon contained adequate amount of 
important minerals and phytochemicals. The 
variations in chemical moieties in different cultivars 
are due to less adaptation of exotic cultivars in 
changed environment. 
 
CONCLUSIONS 

 

The findings imply that bitter melon 
cultivars vary in amount of minerals and 
phytochemicals when planted in a changed habitat.  

The indigenous cultivars (Black king and 
FSD Long) were assessed to be better in local 
climatic conditions than the exotic cultivars.  

The variations in the chemical composition 
in fruit and components of selected cultivars suggest 
that selection of cultivar should not merely depend 
on yield.  

Chemical moieties in fruit elements must be 
monitored in crop breeding programs so as to obtain 
fruits with high nutritive values to be used in diet 
plan strategies, feed formulations and therapeutic 
purposes. 

 
 
RESUMO: O presente estudo foi projetado para comparar os teores de minerais e fitoquímicos em frutos de 

alguns cultivares indígenas e exóticos de melão amargo. Casca, polpa, sementes e frutos inteiros de cada cultivar foram 
secos à temperatura ambiente e moídos até obter-se um pó fino que foi embalado separadamente em frascos de plástico 

 Skin Flesh Seeds 

Phenols + + + + + 

Flavanoids + + + + + 

Saponins +  + + + /- 

Alkaloids +  +  + + 

Ascorbic acid + + + + + 

Glycoalkaloid + /- + /- + + 



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hermeticamente fechados para análise. Os dados revelaram que todos os cultivares possuíam quantidade apreciável de 
minerais. Cultivares indígenas possuíam maior conteúdo mineral que os cultivares exóticos. Descobriu-se que o Black 
King foi o cultivar desejável com alta quantidade de potássio, fósforo, magnésio, cálcio, ferro e zinco com valores de 
258.83, 92.92, 46.74, 48.42, 3.90 e 1.78 mg/100g, respectivamente. Entre as partes das frutas, a polpa era mais rica em 
potássio, fósforo, magnésio, sódio e cálcio, seguida pela casca e pela semente. As sementes possuíam quantidades 
relativamente elevadas de ferro (4.44 mg/100g) e zinco (2.80 mg/100g). No geral, na polpa do Black King predomina o 
perfil mineral, enquanto uma menor quantidade foi observada nas sementes de Noor. Todos os cultivares possuíam os 
mesmos tipos de fitoquímicos, embora possam variar em sua abundância. Fenóis, flavonóides, saponinas e ácido ascórbico 
estavam presentes em abundância na casca e na polpa enquanto as sementes eram ricas em alcalóides e glicoalcalóides. As 
variações na composição química de frutos e componentes devido a mudanças nas condições agroclimáticas sugerem que 
há espaço para o desenvolvimento de cultivares a serem cultivadas em ampla escala de condições agronômicas, climáticas 
e geográficas, sem efeito no seu perfil nutricional e fitoquímico. 
 

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Melão Amargo. Momordica charantia. Minerais. Fitoquímicos. 
 
 
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