Phenolic acid, carotenoid composition, and antioxidant activity of bitter melon (<italic>Momordica charantia</italic> L.) at different maturation stages.

The aim of this study was to investigate the phenolic acid and carotenoid composition of bitter melon and to evaluate its antioxidant activity. The harvest starts from 5-35 days after fertilization. With increasing maturation, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and catechin contents increased, while caffeic acid, <italic>p</italic>-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid contents decreased. With increasing maturation, all carotenoids contents increased. Although lycopene content was not detected for 20 days after fertilization, its content increased to 842.0 μg/g at 35 days after fertilization. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were increased to 639.4 and 203.3 mg/100 g after 35 days. Free radical scavenging activities increased with increasing maturation. This suggests that bitter melon is a good source of natural antioxidants and might have potential health benefits for consumers as a functional food or value-added ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]