The Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Seeds Oil of Local Sudanese Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) seed oil obtained from local Sudanese pumpkins. Three different genotypes of the pumpkin fruits as round, elongated and bell shapes were collected from Elgadarif State, Sudan. The oil’s seeds’ physical and chemical characteristics were determined by viscosity, specific gravity, refractive index, oil content peroxide value, acid value, saponification, unsaponifiable, pH, iodine value, total polyphenols and fatty acid content. The results revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the oil content and chemical characteristics (except acid value and pH) of oil among the different pumpkin fruit genotypes. Linoleic and oleic acids were the primary fatty acids among the different pumpkin fruit genotypes. However, there were no significant (p < 0.05) differences in the fatty acid content and physical properties of the seed’s oil. The high oil content, phenolic content and essential fatty acids indicated that the obtained oil from different local Sudanese pumpkins might impart health and nutritional benefit when involved in the food industry as a natural resource.

graphical abstract