What Are The Active Ingredients, Benefits, And Uses Of Winter Melon Powder?

 

Winter melon powder is typically produced using the flesh of mature winter melons as the primary raw material, undergoing processes such as washing, slicing, drying, and pulverization. Depending on the specific production method, advanced techniques-such as spray drying, freeze-drying, or other modern food processing technologies-may also be employed. Its key characteristics include:

 

• Clearly defined plant origin
• Natural vegetable-based raw material
• Suitable for use as an ingredient in foods and beverages
• Contains dietary fiber and various phytonutrients
• Offers excellent potential for formulation with other ingredients
• Ideal for the development of powdered products, solid beverages, and functional foods

 

Compared to standard winter melon extracts, winter melon powder generally retains a composition closer to that of the whole plant, preserving some of the melon's original nutrients and plant matrix.

 

Active ingredients:

 

• Polysaccharides
• Phenolic acids and flavonoids
• Triterpenoids and sterols
• Dietary fiber and nutritional components

 

 

While interest in winter melon previously centered on its use in traditional foods and botanical applications, recent research in modern food science and phytochemistry has begun to delve into its nutritional profile and active constituents.

 

A 2021 review highlighted the rich phytochemical composition of Benincasa hispida, noting that research has spanned areas such as nutrition, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety. However, the authors also emphasized that many of the positive findings to date stem from in vitro or animal studies, necessitating further high-quality human studies for validation.

 

A more recent review from 2026 further noted that modern analytical techniques have identified a variety of compounds in winter melon-including flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, sterols, polysaccharides, proteins, and peptides-and summarized their potential biological activities at the molecular level.

 

This indicates that winter melon has evolved from a traditional vegetable ingredient into a noteworthy gourd resource within the fields of functional foods and phytonutrient research.

 

 

1. Antioxidant Activity

Oxidative stress is a key area of ​​research in modern nutritional science. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals found in winter melon may help maintain the balance of oxidative stress through mechanisms such as free radical scavenging, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and the modulation of antioxidant enzyme systems.

 

Research conducted in 2023 on winter melon peel demonstrated antioxidant activity across DPPH, ABTS, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays; extracts rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds showed particularly notable results.

 

A 2026 comprehensive review also identified antioxidant activity as a significant area of ​​research regarding winter melon. Consequently, winter melon powder serves as a promising ingredient for natural, plant-based antioxidant formulations.

 

2. Anti-inflammatory Activity

Modern research in plant nutrition is increasingly focused on the effects of natural plant constituents on inflammation-related signaling pathways.

Current experimental studies on Benincasa hispida powder suggest that its various phytochemicals may interact with signaling pathways associated with NF-κB, COX-2, and oxidative stress.

 

A 2026 review concluded that multiple phytochemicals in winter melon may collectively regulate inflammation and oxidative stress through various signaling networks. However, as these mechanistic studies are primarily based on cell, animal, or experimental models, the findings cannot be directly equated to clinical efficacy in humans.

 

3. Metabolic Health

Winter melon has traditionally been used in low-calorie diets and various plant-based food formulations. Modern research is now focusing on the potential links between its constituents-such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, and triterpenes-and glucose and lipid metabolism.

 

Studies conducted in 2023 and a comprehensive review from 2026 have both identified metabolic regulation as a key area of ​​research for winter melon.

 

This provides a scientific foundation for developing formulations that incorporate winter melon powder into "light nutrition" and plant-based food products aimed at supporting metabolic health.

 

4. Research on Immunomodulation

Plant polysaccharides and plant proteins are significant areas of focus in modern functional food research. A 2023 study using a cell-based model investigated the effects of *Bacillus subtilis*-fermented winter melon extract on RAW 264.7 macrophages, specifically examining markers such as nitric oxide (NO) and inflammation-related factors like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF.

 

These results indicate that winter melon and its fermented products warrant further investigation into the mechanisms underlying their immunomodulatory effects. However, as the study relied on a cell-based model, the findings cannot be directly extrapolated to demonstrate immune-enhancing effects in humans.

 

 

 

1. Functional Foods

Winter melon powder is highly suitable for use in plant-based foods, such as:

• Nutritional powders
• Plant protein products
• Nutrition bars
• Cereal blends
• Mixed vegetable powder products
• Plant-based foods
• Meal replacement products

 

2. Solid Beverages

• Winter melon powder can be used to develop:
• Winter melon-based plant drinks
• Fruit and vegetable powder beverages
• Solid beverages
• Plant-based nutritional drink mixes
• Blended vegetable powders

 

3. Baked Goods

Winter melon powder can serve as a plant-based ingredient in baked goods such as cookies, bread, cakes, energy bars, and plant-based nutritional snacks. Compared to synthetic nutrient fortifiers, plant powders offer a more natural product positioning.

 

4. Dietary Supplements

When produced to specifications compliant with dietary supplement regulations, wintermelon powder can be used as an ingredient in complex botanical formulations. It is particularly suitable for blending with other fruit and vegetable powders, grain powders, plant extracts, or dietary fibers.

 

5. Beauty and Plant-Based Personal Care Products

A 2023 study published in the journal *Foods* found that winter melon peel extract not only exhibits antioxidant activity but also demonstrates inhibitory effects on collagenase and hyaluronidase in in vitro experiments; researchers therefore concluded that it holds potential for further development as an ingredient in foods and cosmetics. Consequently, plant-based ingredients derived from winter melon can also be utilized in natural skincare and plant-based beauty products.

 

 

Q1: What is the difference between winter melon powder and winter melon extract?

The primary difference lies in the degree of concentration. Winter melon powder is closer to the whole plant-based raw material, whereas winter melon extract undergoes further extraction and concentration, allowing for standardization based on specific bioactive plant compounds.

 

Q2: What are the key constituents of winter melon powder?

Depending on the specific part of the plant used and the processing method, winter melon powder may contain polysaccharides, dietary fiber, phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, and other phytochemicals.

 

Q3: Can winter melon powder be used in beverages?

Yes. It can be used in powdered beverage mixes, plant-based drinks, and blended fruit and vegetable powders. However, practical application requires process optimization based on factors such as particle size, solubility, sedimentation characteristics, flavor profile, and the specific formulation system.

 

Q4: Is winter melon powder suitable for use in dietary supplements?

Yes, provided it complies with the relevant regulations and product standards of the target market, it can be developed as a plant-derived ingredient in formulations.

 

Q5. Can winter melon powder be marketed as a treatment for diseases?

It is not recommended. While research on winter melon includes numerous in vitro and animal studies, these results cannot currently be directly translated into claims regarding the treatment of human diseases. A 2021 review also explicitly stated that further safety studies and human clinical trials are required.

 

 

Fruiterco is an export company that mainly produces plant extracts, health product raw materials, and cosmetic raw materials. The company has a 20+ professional service after-sales team.

 

Our products are sold to North America, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. Our products have passed quality inspection and also support customer re-inspection. We are a professional supplier and manufacturer of red bean powder. If you wish to buy winter melon powder, please contact us: Email: info@fruiterco.com.

 

 

1. Mao Q, Zhai X, Yan J, et al. Medicinal Ingredients of Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.): An Integrated Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Nutraceutical Applications. Plants. 2026;15(13):2020.

2. Influence of Benincasa hispida Peel Extracts on Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Activities, including Molecular Docking Simulation. Foods. 2023;12(19):3555. DOI: 10.3390/foods12193555.

3. Huang H, Yan J, Yan H, Jiang B. Chemical compositions and cryo-adhesive probing of the epicuticular wax crystals on fruit surface of wax gourd (Benincasa hispida). Food Chemistry. 2024;441:138277. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.138277.

4. Protective effects of nutrients and antioxidant-rich seed oil and sprouted seed oil of Benincasa hispida against formaldehyde-induced hepatic and renal damage. Phytomedicine Plus / related Elsevier publication. 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.prmcm.2024.100555.

5. Choi YE, Yang JM, Cho JH. Benincasa hispida Extract Promotes Proliferation, Differentiation, and Mineralization of MC3T3-E1 Preosteoblasts and Inhibits the Differentiation of RAW 246.7 Osteoclast Precursors. Applied Sciences. 2022;12(17):8849. DOI: 10.3390/app12178849.
6. Zhang M, Lei J, Wang Y, et al. Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Benincasae Exocarpium: A review. Chinese Herbal Medicines. 2023;15(1):15–26. DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2022.10.001.

7. A Literature-Based Update on Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.: Traditional Uses, Nutraceutical, and Phytopharmacological Profiles. 2021.

8. Choi YE, Yang JM, Jeong CW, et al. Immunomodulatory Effect of Benincasa hispida Extract Fermented by Bacillus subtilis CJH 101 on RAW 264.7 Macrophages. Fermentation. 2023;9(8):701.