Revealing the nutritional potential of nine vegetable melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces of Puglia region (Southern Italy)

The diversification of vegetable food is essential for enhancing nutrient sources and dietary health. Vegetable melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces from Puglia region (Southern Italy), represent a valuable yet underutilized resource. Recently, they have gained commercial interest and consumer appreciation at the international level. This study defined the nutritional composition of nine melon landraces (‘Barattiere tondo’, ‘Carosello leccese’, ‘Carosello striato tondo di Massafra’, ‘Carosello di Polignano’, ‘Carosello scopatizzo’, ‘Cucumbr di Martina Franca’, ‘Spuredda bianca’, ‘Spuredda fasciata’, ‘Spuredda nera’) — hypothetically classified into “Barattiere,” “Carosello,” and “Spuredda” groups — by analyzing their phytochemical (polyphenols, isoprenoids, soluble sugars) and mineral elements profiles. While “Barattiere” showed a poorer nutritional profile compared to the others, “Spuredda” landraces, particularly ‘Spuredda bianca’, exhibited the highest levels of pro-vitamin A (8.5 μg·g−1 dry weight, DW), polyphenols (125.2 mg·kg−1 DW), and iron (28.2 mg·kg−1 DW). Moreover, the presence of methyl gallate (up to 117.0 mg·kg−1 DW) — uncommon and sought-after polyphenol in edible fruits, yet predominant in these local vegetable melons — reinforces their relevance for human nutrition. Compared to cucumber and honeydew melon, these landraces demonstrated intermediate nutritional properties. The findings revealed the valuable contribution of these unripe melons to a sustainable and diversified diet, and potentially to breeding programs.