Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Saloni Haldua

Abstract:
The pumpkin, a well-known edible plant that is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has long been utilised as a functional food and a herbal remedy. Pumpkins include a wealth of phytoestrogens, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E in their seeds that may have medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic benefits. In recent years, knowledge of the nutritional benefits and medicinal uses of pumpkin seeds has grown significantly, and the three primary aspects of pumpkin seeds that were previously discussed are the topic of this study. The main component of pumpkin seeds is a variety of unsaturated fatty acids, which may help prevent disease and improve health. Secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol, two crucial phytoestrogen chemicals found in pumpkin seeds, exhibit estrogen-like effects such as reducing hyperlipidemia and osteoporosis. Usually regarded as industrial waste, pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita sp.) from the Cucurbitaceae family are discarded. Although only for household use, seeds can be used raw, boiled, or roasted in some regions. Due to their wealth. They may be essential for the food industry since they include protein, fibre, PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids), phytosterol, vitamins, and minerals including iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and salt. As a byproduct of the pumpkin fruit, the seeds are less expensive and their use in various food items may increase their nutritious content while lowering the cost. It is known that pumpkin seeds have positive health effects on blood sugar, cholesterol, immunity, liver, gallbladder, leaning difficulties, prostate gland, depression, inflammation, cancer treatment, and parasite inhibition. Therefore, additional research and studies should be planned to examine the significance and positive effects of pumpkins and their seeds. The transformation of these agroindustrial waste products into valuable elements is probably a huge step towards the direction of the universal efforts in food sustainability.