Chapter 14 - Pumpkin seed oil components and biological activities

Abstract

The chapter reviews the main bioactive components of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) and their biological activity such as, cholesterol-lowering, cancer alleviation, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and antidiabetic properties. PSO is extracted from pumpkins of the Cucurbitaceae family, notably from Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita pepo, and Cucurbita moschata as the most cultivated species in mild and subtropical regions of the globe. With 40%–50% oil content based on the extraction method, PSO is naturally rich in a number of health-promoting bioactive compounds such as fatty acids, tocopherols, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, squalene, and minerals. The four major fatty acids in PSO represent linoleic acid (predominant), oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid. For minerals, Mg, K, Ca, Na, Se, and Fe represent the dominant elements in PSO. PSO samples screened against several standard bacterial, fungal, and viral strains showed high antimicrobial activity, it also showed good antiinflammatory and antidiabetic properties. With these features combined, greater attention needs to be paid to PSO as a functional food and therapeutic ingredient.