Antioxidants and Health-Beneficial Nutrients in Fruits of Eighteen Cucurbita Cultivars: Analysis of Diversity and Dietary Implications.

Anna Kostecka-Gugała,Paweł Kaszycki,Michał Kruczek,Iwona Ledwożyw-Smoleń

doi:10.3390/molecules25081792

Anna Kostecka-Gugała, Paweł Kaszycki + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25081792

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Abstract

Aging is accompanied by gradual accumulation of molecular damage within cells in response to oxidative stress resulting from adverse environmental factors, inappropriate lifestyle, and numerous diseases. Adequate antioxidant intake is a key factor of proper diet. The study aimed to assess the antioxidant/antiradical capacities of Cucurbita fruits (18 cultivars of the species: C. maxima Duch., C. moschata Duch., C. pepo L., and C. ficifolia Bouché) grown in central Europe. The analyses were based on the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity), and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) assays. The content of phenolic compounds and β-carotene was evaluated with HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), while the main macro- and micronutrients by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The results revealed high intraspecies variability within the Cucurbita genus. The Japanese ‘Kogigu’ fruits were distinguished as extraordinary sources of phenolic compounds, including syringic and protocatechuic acids, catechin, and kaempferol. Another popular cultivar ‘Hokkaido’ exhibited the highest antioxidant and antiradical capacities. Most of the fruits proved to be rich sources of zinc and copper. The obtained data are discussed in the context of optimized nutrition of the elderly and suggest that Cucurbita fruits should become daily components of their diet.

Highlights

Pumpkin and squash are common dish ingredients in South America, China, southern Asia, and Japan
This study was aimed to assess the antioxidant potential and other health-beneficial properties of fruits of 18 cultivars of four species: Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, C. pepo L., C. moschata Duchesne, and C. ficifolia Bouché successfully planted under temperate climate conditions of central Europe
The significant distance of that cultivar from the origin and from other tested genotypes is mainly related to significant accumulation of the analyzed mineral elements, as well as of salicylic and syringic acids as described above. These results indicate high intraspecies variability in Cucurbita genus regarding the accumulation of health-promoting compounds and the antioxidant capacity

Summary

Introduction

Pumpkin and squash are common dish ingredients in South America, China, southern Asia, and Japan. They are used in North American cuisines and are well known in Western Europe. In the central and eastern European countries they became partly forgotten and mainly associated with puree juice and soup for the youngest children. These vegetables belong to the Cucurbita genus and they are among the oldest domesticated plants, used as early as ca. Cucurbitaceae family consists of more than 900 species and Cucurbita comprises 14 species with six subspecies and two wild varieties [6,7].

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