Cantaloupe harmful bacteria—in particular, "Salmonella"—it is recommended to wash and scrub a melon thoroughly before cutting and consumption. The fruit should be refrigerated after cutting it and consumed in less than three days to prevent risk of "Salmonella" or other bacterial pathogens. A moldy cantaloupe in a Peoria, Illinois market in 1943 was found to contain the highest yielding strain of mold for penicillin production, after a worldwide search. Raw cantaloupe is 90% water, 8% carbohydrates, 0.8% protein and 0.2% fat, providing and 2020 μg of the provitamin A orange carotenoid, beta-carotene per 100 grams. Fresh cantaloupe is a rich source
First Fruits produce of the field as belonging to God. In the Law of Moses there is a parallel between the offering of first fruits and the offering of the first-born male which opens the womb. The latter belongs to the Lord, and must be either sacrificed to him, or redeemed. The Apostle Paul also referred to Jesus' resurrection as a type of "First Fruit" () where he says: "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep." The Eastern Orthodox Church the offering of first fruits takes the form of a thanksgiving and