Abstract
To obtain more detailed knowledge of the differences among major pumpkin species grown in China, physico-chemical and antioxidant properties of four pumpkin cultivars (Miben, Hongli, Lvli, Xihulu) were characterized and compared. Dry matter, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, fruit color, protein, fat, sugars, minerals, amino acids, &beta-carotene, L-ascorbic acid, total phenols and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP) were measured in the studied cultivars. The results showed great differences in the composition and characteristics of the pumpkin cultivars. Miben exhibited the highest concentration of dry matter, fat, Total Soluble Solid (TSS), Titratable Acidity (TA), sucrose, &beta-carotene, K, P, Fe, Zn and aspartic acid. Hongli had the highest concentration protein, L-ascorbic acid, Na, Ca, Mg and all individual amino acids except for asparitic acid. Lvli exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP), which are highly related to total phenols content in pumpkin fruits (r = 0.94 and r = 0.98, respectively). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) allowed the four pumpkin cultivars to be differentiated clearly based on all these physico-chemical and antioxidant properties determined in the study.
Highlights
Pumpkin is one of the most important vegetables belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae (Whitaker and Davis, 1962)
Glucose and Pumpkin cultivars: Four pumpkin cultivars including Miben, Hongli, Lvli and Xihulu were harvested at commercial maturity stage from gardens of the experimental station of the China Agriculture University located in Beijing and stored at 4°C before fructose were determined by HPLC according to the method reported by Zhou et al (2014) with some modifications
The pumpkin cultivars showed a higher amount of dry matter and Total Soluble Solid (TSS) content compared to those reported for pumpkin cultivated in India (Kulkarni and Joshi, 2013) and Korea (Kim et al, 2012) except for Xihulu
Summary
Pumpkin is one of the most important vegetables belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae (Whitaker and Davis, 1962). The physico-chemical and antioxidant properties measured were used as Germany) was used for the determination of K, Ca, Na, P, Mg, Fe and Zn in pumpkin pulp according to the method previously reported by Subramanian et al (2012). Glucose and Pumpkin cultivars: Four pumpkin cultivars including Miben, Hongli, Lvli and Xihulu were harvested at commercial maturity stage from gardens of the experimental station of the China Agriculture University located in Beijing and stored at 4°C before fructose were determined by HPLC according to the method reported by Zhou et al (2014) with some modifications.
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