Watermelon Rind: Nutritional Composition, Therapeutic Potential, Environmental Impact, and Commercial Applications in Sustainable Industries.

Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) is a fruit with remarkable therapeutic potential, as each part of itrind, peel, flesh, and seeds contain bioactive compounds. Despite its wide range of benefits, the utilization of watermelon, particularly its rind, remains limited due to a lack of awareness and an underrated perspective. The rind, situated between the green outer peel and the red flesh, is light green in color and rich in bioactive compounds, minerals, and phytochemicals. These constituents are associated with various therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antineoplastic, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective effects. In addition to its therapeutic applications, watermelon rind offers significant commercial value in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in industrial applications such as biofuel production and eco-friendly packaging. Its versatility makes watermelon rind an exciting area of research for uncovering new applications and enhancing existing ones. However, limitations in its usage and handling need to be addressed for its broader adoption. This review comprehensively discusses the global research conducted to date on the nutritional composition, therapeutic potential, environmental impact, and commercial applications of watermelon rind. Additionally, it highlights challenges and future directions for advancing the utilization of this promising resource.