Biochemical evaluation of the assortment of pumpkin vegetable crops for the creation of functional food products

Abstract

It is known that vegetables are sources of vitamins, biologically active substances, antioxidants and other vital micronutrients. In particular, pumpkin vegetable crops (zucchini, squash) contain all the necessary mineral salts, vitamins, trace elements, pectin substances, ascorbic acid and not too many sugars. Varieties of vegetable crops are characterized by a diverse biochemical composition and are suitable to various degrees for obtaining processed products for therapeutic, preventive and functional purposes. The article considers the assortment of zucchini and squash by yield and the most important indicators of the biochemical composition of the fruit: the content of dry substances, sugars, vitamin C; the accumulation of nitrates in the fruit. High water content of zucchini and squash fruits (94-96%), low sugar content ( 1.5-3.5%) were found. Squash has a higher yield (25-90 t / ha), compared to zucchini (4-11 t/ha). Nevertheless, zucchini contain 3-4 times more vitamin C in the fruit and accumulate 3-4 times less nitrates than squash, having almost 10 times more of vitamin value. At the same time, squash is 2-3 times less than zucchini, accumulating nitrates. Of the 7 studied varieties of zucchini, the hybrid Belogor F1 and the variety Tsukesha were distinguished, which have high yield, high fruit quality and vitamin value. Of the 15 studied varieties of squash, the varieties Perlinka, Pyatachok and Tabolinsky were identified, which have high yields, high fruit qualities and vitamin value, and weakly accumulate nitrates.