The utilization of the seeds of the wild perennial gourds

Abstract

ConclusionsThe experiments described above indicate that the seeds from three species of wild perennial gourds,Cucurbita foetidissima, C. digitata, andC. palmata, have a potential value. Drying oils, high protein flour, and chemically purified protein may easily be obtained from the seeds by standard procedures used for other oil seeds. While theC. digitata andC. palmata oils are different than other natural drying oils, their evaluation would place them in the class with linseed oil for general use in protective coatings.C. foetidissima lacks the conjugated triene component so is a somewhat “softer” drying oil, more smilar to soybean. The wild gourds should continue to receive serious consideration as an oil seed crop, particularly for arid and semi‐arid land.