Physico-chemical characteristics and rehydration kinetics of five species of cucurbitacae seeds

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the proximate composition, physical characteristics and water absorption kinetics of five cucurbitaceae seeds species (Cucumeropsis mannii, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata and Lagenaria siceraria) consumed in Cameroon. The results revealed that the proximate composition of seeds changed significantly (p < 0.05) with species. The lipid content varied from 47.92% for C. sativus seeds to 63.34% for C. maxima, while the total protein content varied from 20.11% for C. maxima to 35.15% for C. mannii. Significant variations were also observed on total carbohydrates (range 7.11–8.11%), ash (range 2.70–4.02%) and total fibers (range 2.14–2.93%). C. sativus was generally the lowest specie in size while C. moschata had the highest. The ranges physical parameters were: whole seed weight 0.04–0.29 g; Hull weight 0.02–0.07 g; length 17.31–19.10 mm; width 4.50–11.12 mm; Thickness 2.03–3.91 mm. The water absorption kinetics of the seeds followed the Peleg and sigmoid model. C. moschata exhibited the highest saturation moisture content (53.02%) and C. sativus the lowest (8.66%). The effective diffusivity of moisture in the seeds varied between the species and increased from the soaking temperature 25–35 °C over which a decrease was noticed. Diffusion coefficients in seeds of L. siceraria (1.47–2.46 × 10− 9 m2s− 1) were comparatively higher than the corresponding values of the other cucurbitaceae seeds, with C. sativus seeds presenting the lowest values of diffusion coefficients (2.35–5.17 × 10−10 m2s−1).