Citrulline has been isolated in other cucurbitaceous fruits including bitter melon, cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin, bottle gourd, dishrag gourd and wax gourd. The concentration of L-citrulline in watermelon grown in the United States can range from 1.6 to 3.5 g/kg of fresh watermelon
L-citrulline is a nonessential amino acid that can be metabolized to L-arginine, an essential amino acid for humans, which produces nitric oxide (NO), improving athletic performance and relieving muscle soreness; it also has cardioprotective effects among other properties.
L-Citrulline may improve vascular function through increased L-arginine bioavailability and nitric oxide synthesis. Citrulline is used in the nitric oxide system in humans and has potential antioxidant and vasodilatation roles. L-Citrulline is a precursor of L-arginine. It is effectively converted to L-arginine in the urea cycle.
Nonessential
amino acid L-Citrulline in food
