Chemical composition of kernels from some species ofCucurbitaceae grown in Nigeria

Abstract

The seeds of lesser-known species - Cucumeropsis mannii, Lagenaria sicceraria varieties 1 and 2 and Telfairia occidentalis, of Cucurbitaceae family were studied. The protein content of C. mannii was 36.1% and the varieties 1 and 2 of L. sicceraria had 32.1% and 33.3% respectively. Telfairia occidentalis had protein content of 33.2%. The fat contents of C. mannii, L. Sicceraria var. 1 and 2 and T. occidentalis were 44.4%, 44.6%, 46.9% and 42.3% respectively. The crude fibre content for each of the two varieties of L. sicceraria was 3.6% and T. occidentalis had 5.5%. Cucumeropsis mannii had the lowest (2.4%) fibre content. The carbohydrate contents for L. Sicceraria var. 2, C. mannii, and T. occidentalis were 12.6%, 13.2% and 14.4% respectively. Lagenaria sicceraria var. 1 had the highest value of carbohydrate (15.8%). The species were relatively rich in potassium and magnesium with range of values of 0.56% to 0.68% and 434 ppm to 444 ppm respectively. Cucumeropsis mannii and Lagenaria sicceraria var. 2 had relatively high contents of calcium (117 ppm) and iron (109 ppm) respectively. The kernels of these species exhibited lipase activity. Telfairia occidentalis showed the highest degree of lipase activity.

Effect of germination and fermentation on the proximate composition and functional properties of full-fat and defatted cucumeropsis mannii seed flours

“…The moisture content of the defatted samples ranged from 6.17±0.29 to 8.13±0.71 % (Table 1) and compares favorably well with values of 6.39 % reported for defatted pumpkin seed (Olaofe et al 1994) and 8.12 % for gourd seed (Badifu and Ogunsua 1991). Among the flours from defatted sample seeds, flour from the raw seed had the lowest moisture content of 6.17±0.29 %.…”

“…The total ash contents of full fat samples were slightly lower than the 4.66 % and 4.40 % reported for fluted pumpkin and melon seeds respectively (Badifu and Ogunsua 1991;Olaofe et al 1994). After the seeds were defatted the values obtained for the total ash content were higher.…”

“…The fermented samples had the least protein content which may be as a result of leaching and breakdown of proteins during fermentation. The protein content of the full fat samples were higher than the values of 31.1 %, 30.8 % and 33.0 % reported for melon, gourd and pumpkin seeds respectively (Badifu and Ogunsua 1991;Olaofe et al 1994). It, however, compares fairly well with 39.5 % reported for Chinese kernel (Olaofe et al 2009).…”

“…It is an annual climbing stems that grows in wet humid climate particularly in the South Western part of Nigeria. Cucurbitaceae is widely grown in sub-Saharan Africa not for the pulp which is bitter, but for the seeds which are particularly rich in protein and oil content ranging from 43 to 48 % (Badifu and Ogunsua 1991;Koffi et al 2008;Ogunbusola et al 2012). The full fat meal is used in several dietary preparations that vary with the food habits of the people (Odibo et al 1990;de Mello et al 2000).…”

Effect of Weed Control Treatments and Cutting Frequency on Weed Dry Matter and Biomass in Relation to the Growth and Yield of Fluted Pumpkin (<i>Telfairia occidentialis</i> Hook F)

“…The leaf has high nutritional, medicinal and industrial values being rich in protein 29%, fat 18%, minerals and vitamins 20% (Tindal, 1986). The vegetable contains 20.5g proteins, 45g fat, 23g carbohydrate, 2.2g fibre and 4.8g total ash (Badifu and Ogunsua, 1991). The oil in the seed could be used for the preparation of margarine and pomade as well as for use as carrier for drugs (Asiegbu, 1987).…”