of specific component responsible for its medicinal/remedial potential, long-term
use, safety trials, and side effects on humans. The studies can be undertaken to
investigate the bioactive substances found in pumpkin seeds which work in
synergistic ways. Furthermore, recent market studies show that there is a constant
increase in demand for pumpkin seed and its products. Although pumpkin seed
hydrolysate has been shown to have a very good potential use in the food industry,
the evidence about its application is limited. Based on the available literature there
are numerous opportunities to develop pumpkin seed-enriched health food products and thus, branding and promotion of pumpkin seed and its various products
seems to be a promising field.
19.13 Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds exhibit numerous characteristics potentially beneficial in terms of its
application in food, nutraceutical, cosmetics, and fodder industry. The high content
of bioactive compounds has rendered “superfood” title to pumpkin seeds. Snacks
manufactured from these seeds have gained considerable demand due to its excellent
palatability. Moreover, indigenous therapeutic usage (both preventive and curative
aspects) has made it more popular among scientists and therapist. Further research
and scientific studies as well as documentation are required to authenticate its vast
and relevant applications.
References
Abou Seif H (2014) Ameliorative effect of pumpkin oil (Cucurbita pepo L.) against alcoholinduced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats. Beni-Suef Univ J Basic Appl Sci
3:178–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjbas.2014.08.001
Achilonu M, Nwafor I, Umesiobi D et al (2017) Biochemical proximates of pumpkin (Cucurbitaeae
spp.) and their beneficial effects on the general Well-being of poultry species. J Anim Physiol
Anim Nutr 102:5–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12654
Aliu S, Rusinovci I, Salihu S et al (2016) Nutritive values and seed chemical variability of pumpkin
(Cucurbita pepo L.) populations. J Food Agric Environ 14(2):28–33. https://doi.org/10.1234/4.
2016.3756
Anon (2007) Pumpkin patch—everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins! Pumpkinpatch.com, In. http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/. Accessed 17 Nov 2017
Atuonwu A, Akobundu E (2010) Nutritional and sensory quality of cookies supplemented with
defatted pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed flour. Pak J Nutr 9:672–677. https://doi.org/10.3923/
pjn.2010.672.677
Barakat L, Mahmoud R (2011) The antiatherogenic, renal protective and immunomodulatory
effects of purslane, pumpkin and flax seeds on hypercholesterolemic rats. N Am J Med Sci
411–417. doi: https://doi.org/10.4297/najms.2011.3411
Bardaa S, Ben Halima N, Aloui F et al (2016) Oil from pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds:
evaluation of its functional properties on wound healing in rats. Lipids Health Dis. https://doi.
org/10.1186/s12944-016-0237-0
500
S. Adsul and V. Madkaikar
use, safety trials, and side effects on humans. The studies can be undertaken to
investigate the bioactive substances found in pumpkin seeds which work in
synergistic ways. Furthermore, recent market studies show that there is a constant
increase in demand for pumpkin seed and its products. Although pumpkin seed
hydrolysate has been shown to have a very good potential use in the food industry,
the evidence about its application is limited. Based on the available literature there
are numerous opportunities to develop pumpkin seed-enriched health food products and thus, branding and promotion of pumpkin seed and its various products
seems to be a promising field.
19.13 Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds exhibit numerous characteristics potentially beneficial in terms of its
application in food, nutraceutical, cosmetics, and fodder industry. The high content
of bioactive compounds has rendered “superfood” title to pumpkin seeds. Snacks
manufactured from these seeds have gained considerable demand due to its excellent
palatability. Moreover, indigenous therapeutic usage (both preventive and curative
aspects) has made it more popular among scientists and therapist. Further research
and scientific studies as well as documentation are required to authenticate its vast
and relevant applications.
References
Abou Seif H (2014) Ameliorative effect of pumpkin oil (Cucurbita pepo L.) against alcoholinduced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats. Beni-Suef Univ J Basic Appl Sci
3:178–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjbas.2014.08.001
Achilonu M, Nwafor I, Umesiobi D et al (2017) Biochemical proximates of pumpkin (Cucurbitaeae
spp.) and their beneficial effects on the general Well-being of poultry species. J Anim Physiol
Anim Nutr 102:5–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12654
Aliu S, Rusinovci I, Salihu S et al (2016) Nutritive values and seed chemical variability of pumpkin
(Cucurbita pepo L.) populations. J Food Agric Environ 14(2):28–33. https://doi.org/10.1234/4.
2016.3756
Anon (2007) Pumpkin patch—everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins! Pumpkinpatch.com, In. http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/. Accessed 17 Nov 2017
Atuonwu A, Akobundu E (2010) Nutritional and sensory quality of cookies supplemented with
defatted pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed flour. Pak J Nutr 9:672–677. https://doi.org/10.3923/
pjn.2010.672.677
Barakat L, Mahmoud R (2011) The antiatherogenic, renal protective and immunomodulatory
effects of purslane, pumpkin and flax seeds on hypercholesterolemic rats. N Am J Med Sci
411–417. doi: https://doi.org/10.4297/najms.2011.3411
Bardaa S, Ben Halima N, Aloui F et al (2016) Oil from pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds:
evaluation of its functional properties on wound healing in rats. Lipids Health Dis. https://doi.
org/10.1186/s12944-016-0237-0
500
S. Adsul and V. Madkaikar