Amino Acid Profile, Functional Properties and In-vitro Antioxidant Capacity of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita mixta Fruit Pulps and Seeds
Aleem Waheed Oyeleke, David Timilehin Oluwajuyitan, Olusola Matthew Oluwamukomi, Ndigwe Victor Enujiugha
European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety · pp. 224–241 · Published 23 Oct 2019
10.9734/ejnfs/2019/v10i430117Abstract
The study aimed at evaluating the amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties and in-vitro antioxidant activities of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita mixta fruit pulps and seeds. Freshly harvested Cucurbita mixta and Cucurbita maxima fruit were processed into flour as; Pa: Cucurbita maxima pulp flour, Pi: Cucurbita mixta pulp flour, Sa: Cucurbita maxima seed flour and Si: Cucurbita mixta seed flour and were evaluated for amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties and in-vitro antioxidant activities. Triplicate data were analysed and means were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test (NDMRT) at p<0.05. The protein content of the fruit pulps and seeds flour samples were 12.77 g/100 g (Pi), 13.22 g/100 g (Pa), 15.37 g/100 g (Sa) and 16.86 g/100 g (Si). Total essential amino acid was 5.33 mg/100 g of protein (Pa) 6.62 mg/100 g of protein (Pi), 9.85 mg/100 g of protein (Sa) and 14.61 mg/100 g of protein (Si). Total essential amino acid of Pi and Si are significantly higher (p>0.05) than Pa and Sa. Statistically, saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid of the Pi and Si were significantly lower (p<0.05) than Pa and Sa respectively. Antioxidant activities against ABTS* (Pi) is significantly higher (p>0.05) than Pa and with no significant differences (p<0.05) between ABTS values of Si and Sa. While there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between Si and Sa as well as Pi and Pa antioxidant activities against DPPH* respectively. In conclusion, Cucurbita seeds and pulps flour contains high protein content, appreciable amount of essential minerals, lower Na/K molar ratio of less than one and they also exhibit a good free radical scavenging abilities against DPPH*, ABTS* and ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ with high content of total phenol and flavonoid.
Cited by 16
Apinya Suwannapong, Chusri Talubmook, Wilawan Promprom · The Scientific World Journal · 2023
Aayeena Altaf, Hanu Sharma, Aamir Hussain Dar · Food Safety and Health · 2025
Marta A. Vargas, Claudia Bernal, Ronny Martínez · Journal of Food Processing and Preservation · 2022
Wojciech Łaba, Martyna Wilk, Marta Cwynar · Waste and Biomass Valorization · 2024
G. Moreno-Quiroga, J.E. Alba-Jiménez, E. N. Aquino-Bolaños · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2023
Hailah M. Almohaimeed, Shereen Hamed, Hanan S. Seleem · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2021
Da Filkpièrè Léonard, Tindano Basile, Aboubakar Oumarou Bibi Farouck · Pharmacological Research - Natural Products · 2025
Victor N. Enujiugha, Modupe B. Adeyemo, Abosede M. Adisa · Food and Humanity · 2023
M. Mayil Arasi, S. Esakkiammal, M. Muthu Kani · Journal of Natural Products and Resources · 2025
Aleena Elezabeth Shajan, Kshirod Kumar Dash, Hamid · Future Foods · 2024
Related research
- Cholesterol and Fatty Acid Profiles of Some Bird Egg Varieties: Possible Health Implications — shares topic coverage
- Fatty Acid Profile and Oil Stability of Butter Made from Peanut Paste Supplemented with Sesame Seed Paste — shares topic coverage
- Qualitative Evaluation of Lamb Meat Sausage Prepared with Different Antioxidants — shares topic coverage
- Physicochemical Properties of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Seed Oil, Its Biodiesel and Blends with Diesel — shares topic coverage
- Characterization and Glycerine Analysis of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Seed Oil and Biodiesel — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
0
Page views
0
PDF downloads
0
Outbound clicks
16
Citations
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
No views recorded yet.
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
No traffic recorded yet.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.