Nutrient evaluation of the seed, pulp, flesh, and peel of spaghetti squash

Yang Li,Yamei Ren,Jiajia Li,Hosahalli S Ramaswamy,Yuexia Gao,Chenyu Yang,Xiaorong Zhang,Ahmad Irshad

doi:10.1590/fst.70920

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of the seed, pulp, flesh, and peel of spaghetti squash (SS) in order to assess its nutritional and health benefits. Results showed that several of the following nutrients were found in significant amounts in different parts of SS: fat, protein, amino acids like cystine, vitamins, and mineral elements like selenium in the seeds; vitamin C and trigonelline in the flesh; and calcium and tartronic acid in the peel. Analysis of the index of nutritional quality for Ca, P, K, Na, Fe, Zn, VA, VB1, VB2, VC, non-fiber carbohydrate, protein, fat, and dietary fiber revealed that the SS seed, pulp, flesh, and peel are excellent sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and minerals. The seed was a source of several nutritional components that could improve the growth and development in children, the flesh contained components that help to maintain blood glucose stability and assist hypoglycemic function, and the peel contributes calcium and weight-loss products to help increase bone density and reduce weigh respectively. These results suggest that spaghetti squash makes a source of valuable nutraceuticals.

Highlights

Spaghetti squash (SS) (Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. pepo) is a variety of zucchini, and its shape resembles that of a cantaloupe with a golden peel and its seed is similar to that of a pumpkin
SS is an excellent source of high-quality protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, β-carotene, foil acid and other components that are beneficial to health (Han et al, 2011; Wadas et al, 2012; Wadas & Borysiak-Marciniak, 2016)
The term nutraceuticals usually refers to products available in the market that has either not been properly evaluated for their beneficial health effects (Amin et al, 2019) or contain them in excess amounts

Summary

Introduction

Spaghetti squash (SS) (Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. pepo) is a variety of zucchini, and its shape resembles that of a cantaloupe with a golden peel and its seed is similar to that of a pumpkin. Pepo) is a variety of zucchini, and its shape resembles that of a cantaloupe with a golden peel and its seed is similar to that of a pumpkin. It is named as ‘shark fin melon’ because its natural flesh resembles shark’s fin. SS is an excellent source of high-quality protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, β-carotene, foil acid and other components that are beneficial to health (Han et al, 2011; Wadas et al, 2012; Wadas & Borysiak-Marciniak, 2016). Food supplements and nutraceuticals are considered to be high value when derived from food sources. SS is a rich source of nutrients and could be a potential source of nutraceuticals

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion