Biodeterioration of melon seeds (Citrullusvulgaris schrad) during storage

Storage of shelled and unshelled Citrullus vulgaris in packaging materials, like paper, cellophane, plastic, tin and open on laboratory bench, for 6 months at ambient temperature (28±2°C) and R.H. of 75±5%, resulted in highest increase of moisture content in shelled melon seeds from 5.1 to 10.1% in samples kept open on the bench ad lowest increase of 5.1 to 7.4% in paper packaging. Trend was similar in unshelled seeds with highest moisture increase in open and lowest in paper packaging. The proximate composition deteriorated and peroxide values increased during the storage period, the highest being in the samples kept in open. Total fungal counts during the storage also increased, and highest being in shelled and unshelled samples kept in open. The fungi isolated included Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus and Botrytis cinerea. Paper packaging appeared best and open storage least suitable option.