Abstract:
The proximate analysis, evaluation of the nutritionally valuable minerals, β- carotene content, and the fatty
acid profile of the pumpkin C. maxima were studied. The treatments comprised fresh fruits (fruit pulp) and
whole seed (flours). The results showed that proximate composition of the pumpkin pulp ranged between 75.8
– 91.33 % moisture (fresh weight), 0.34 – 2 % crude ether extract, 0.2 – 2.7 % crude protein, 0.47 – 2.1 % crude
fibre, 0.38 – 2.1 % crude ash and 3.1 – 13 % carbohydrate content (by difference). While those of the seeds
were, 4.4 – 15.2 %, 31.28 – 43.35 %, 14 – 42 %, 11.21 – 24.98, 2.0 – 4.2 % and 6.7 – 30.5 % for the respectively,
for the parameters above. The results indicate that the pumpkin seeds are rich sources of lipids, fibre and
proteins. Physicochemical analysis of the extracted oil showed a high content of unsaturated fatty acids and
the three dominant fatty acids were palmitic 0.3 – 20.81 %, oleic 15.61 – 40.51 %, and linoleic acids 25.38 –
79.61 %, the highest oil was linoleic acid i.e. it was the principal fatty acid. Fruits and seeds contained varying
amounts of potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron, calcium, copper and sodium. The highest elemental
mineral was potassium while the lowest were copper and zinc, in overall the seed had a higher concentration
of minerals compared to the pulp. The fresh fruits had a β carotene content of the range between 9.15 to
41.28 μg/g on fresh weight basis. The established superior nutritional composition of these pumpkins
highlighted their usefulness in terms of addressing nutritional deficiency particularly in Kenya and should
therefore be promoted due to their high nutritional value.
