Pumpkin Seeds as a Power House of Nutrition: A Review

Jump To References Section

Authors

  • Department of Foods and Nutrition, Shri Vaishnav Institute of Home Science, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwadyalaya, Indore - 453 111 ,IN
  • Department of Foods and Nutrition, Shri Vaishnav Institute of Home Science, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwadyalaya, Indore - 453 111 ,IN
  • Department of Foods and Nutrition, Shri Vaishnav Institute of Home Science, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwadyalaya, Indore - 453 111, Madhya Pradesh ,IN
  • Department of Foods and Nutrition, Shri Vaishnav Institute of Home Science, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwadyalaya, Indore - 453 111, Madhya Pradesh ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21048/IJND.2022.59.3.28957

Keywords:

Pumpkin, Seeds, Nutraceuticals, Phytosterols, Tocopherols

Abstract

Today the need to obtain nutritious foods from new sources and lower in waste food processing industry has created a high interest. Modification of agro industrial waste products into valuable elements is probably a huge footstep towards the direction of food sustainability. The seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) are generally considered to be agro-industrial wastes and discarded. But pumpkin seeds are densely packed with useful nutrients and nutraceuticals such as amino acids, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, tocopherols, cucurbitacins and valuable minerals. All these bioactive compounds are important to a healthy life and well-being. The present study aims at reviewing the various researches done in the past on the uses of the pumkin seed for the treatment of digestion problems, diarrhoea, colic, dyspepsia etc. Various researcher investigated that the used of pumpkin seed are beneficial for some diseases such as diabetes, alzheimer, anti cancer, hypercholesterolemic and hypertension patients. Pumpkin seeds have wide application, as antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, encapsulation, antifungal. As from all the studies, that done and concluded that pumpkin seed have been used as functional food for humans by combining with unit operations of food processing for treatment of various ailments.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Published

2022-07-13

How to Cite

Saxena, D., Sharma, U., Gupta, S., & Mahajan, S. (2022). Pumpkin Seeds as a Power House of Nutrition: A Review. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 59(3), 379–387. https://doi.org/10.21048/IJND.2022.59.3.28957

Issue

Section

Review Articles
Received 2021-11-11
Accepted 2022-05-17
Published 2022-07-13

 

References

Gemrot, F., Barouh, N., Vieu, J.P., Pioch, D. and Montet, D. Effect of roasting on tocopherols of gourd seeds (Cucurbita pepo), Gras. Aceit., 2006, 57, 409-414. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3989/gya.2006.v57.i4.67

Figueredo, E., Minguez, A. and Luis, V.L. Allergy to pumpkin and cross reactivity of other cucurbitaceae fruits. J. Allergy Clin. Immun., 2000, 106, 402-403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2000.108109

Giami, S.Y. and Bekebain, D.A. Proximate composition and functional properties of raw and processed full fat fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seed flour. J. Sci. Fd. Agric., 1992, 59, 321-325. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740590308

Stevenson, D.G., Eller, F.J., Wang, L., Jane, J.L., Wang, T. and Inglett, G.E. Oil and tocopherol content and composition of pumpkinseed in 12 cultivars. J. Agric. Fd. Chem., 2007, 55, 4005-4013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0706979

Miura, Y. The biological significance of w-oxidation of fatty acids, Proc. Jpn. Acad. Ser. B Phys. Biol. Sci., 2013, 89, 370-382. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2183/pjab.89.370

Murkovic, M., Hillebrand, A., Winkler, J., Leitner, E. and Pfannhauser, W. Variability of fatty acid content in pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.). Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1996, 203, 216-219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01192866

Bombardelli, E. and Morazzoni, P. Cucurbita pepo L. Fitoterapia, 1997, 68, 291-302.

Nakiæ, S.N., Rade, D., Kevin, D., Štrucelj, D., Mokrovèak, Z. and Bartoliæ, M. Chemical characteristics of oils from naked and husk seeds of Cucurbita pepo L. Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol., 2006, 108, 936-943. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejlt.200600161

Glew, R.H., Glew, R.S., Chuang, L.T., Huang, Y.S., Millson, M. and Constans, D. Amino acid, mineral and fatty acid content of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita sp) and Cyperus Esculentus nuts in the Republic of Niger, Plant Fds. Hum. Nutr., 2006, 61, 51-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-006-0010-z

Chopra, R.N. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1956, 174.

USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Seeds, pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted, with salt added, Release 17, 2004.

Parry, J., Zhou, K., Luther, M. and Yu, L. Phytochemical compositions and free radical scavenging capacities of selected cold-pressed edible seed oils. Antioxidant measurement and applications. Am. Chem. Soci., 2007, 18, 255-267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2007-0956.ch018

Haas, E. and Levin, B. Staying Healthy with Nutrition- Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. Celestial Arts, USA, 2016, 318.

Ryan, E., Galvin, K., O’Connor, T.P., Maguire, A.R. and O’Brien, N.M. Phytosterol, squalene, tocopherol content and fatty acid profile of selected seeds, grains, and legumes. Plant Fds. Hum Nutr., 2007, 62, 85-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-007-0046-8

Nkosi, C.Z., Opoku, A.R. and Terblanche S.E. Effect of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein isolate on the activity levels of certain plasma enzymes in CCl4-induced liver injury in low- protein fed rats, Phytother. Res., 2005, 19, 341-345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1685

Dhiman, Anju, K., Kumari, B., Attri, S. and Ramachandran, P. Preparation of pumpkin powder and pumpkin seed kernel powder for supplementation in weaning mix and cookies. Int. J. Chem. Stud., 2018, 6, 167-175.

Harvath, S. and Bedo, Z. Another possibility in treatment of hyperlipidemia with peponen of natural active sub-stance. Mediflora, 1988, 89, 7-8.

Schiebel-Schlosser, G. and Friederich, M. Phytotherapy of BPH with pumpkin seeds A multicentric clinical trial. Z. Phytother., 1998, 19, 71-76.

Zuhair, H.A., Abd El-Fattah, A.A. and El-Sayed, M.I. Pumpkinseed oil modulates the effect of felodipine and captopril in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Pharmacol. Res., 2000, 41, 555-563. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/phrs.1999.0622

Dreikorn, K. The role of phytotherapy in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia. World J. Urol., 2002, 19, 426-435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-002-0247-6

Zambo, I. Analytical standardization of peponen. Mediflora, 1988, 89, 6.

Fruehwirth, G.O. and Hermetter, A. Seeds and oil of the Styrian oil pumpkin: Components and biological activities. Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Tech., 2007, 109, 1128-1140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejlt.200700105

Gossell-Williams, M., Hyde, C., Hunter, T., Simms-Stewart, D., Fletcher, H., McGrowder, D. and Walters, C.A. Improvement in HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal women supplemented with pumpkin seed oil: Pilot study. Climacteric, 2011, 14, 558-564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2011.563882

Mahasneh, A.M. and El-Oqlah, A.A. Antimicrobial activity of extracts of herbal plants used in the traditional medicine of Jordan. J. Ethno pharmacol., 1999, 64, 271-276. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00132-9

EI-Aziz, A.B. and EI-Kalek, H.A. Antimicrobial proteins and oil seeds from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). Nature. Sci., 2011, 9, 105-119.

Abuelgassim, A. and Al-Showayman. The effect of pumpkin (Cucurbitapepo L.) seeds and

L- arginine supplementation on serum lipid concentrations in atherogenic rats. AJTCAM., 2012, 9, 131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v9i1.18

El-Mosallamy, A., Sleem, A., Abdel-Salam, O., Shaffie, N. and Kenawy, S. Antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of pumpkin seed oil. J. Med. Fd., 2012, 15, 180-189. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2010.0299

Behrooz Bod, D. and ChB, B.M. Unblock your arteries the natural way: 2013 http://www.femmeslender.com/articles/unblock_arterie.

Norfezah, Md, Alistair Carr, Allan Hardacre and Charles S. Brennan. The development of expanded snack product made from pumpkin flour-corn grits: effect of extrusion conditions and formulations on physical characteristics and microstructure. Fds., 2013, 2, 160-169. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods2020160

Naghii, M.R. and Mofid, M. Impact of daily consumption of iron fortified ready-to-eat cereal and pumpkin seed kernels (Cucurbita pepo) on serum iron in adult women. Bio. Factors, 2007, 30, 19-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.5520300103

Kalogeropoulos, N., Chiou, A., Ioannou, M.S. and Karathanos, V.T. Nutritional evaluation and health promoting activities of nuts and seeds cultivated in Greece. Int. J. Fd. Sci. Nutr., 2013, 64, 757-767. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2013.793298

Obregon Diaz, Lozano Lloja, L. and Carbajal Zuniga, V. Preclinical studies of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin seeds) a traditional intestinal antiparasitic in rural urban areas. Rev. Gastroenterol. Peru., 2004, 24, 323-327.