Evaluation of Fatty Acid Compositions, Antioxidant, and Pharmacological Activities of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Seed Oil from Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction

Abstract

Pumpkin seed oil is a by-product, abundant in nutrients and bioactive components that promote several health benefits. This study aimed to compare chemical compositions, antioxidant, and pharmacological activities of pumpkin seed oils extracted from Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir. (PSO1) and Cucurbita moschata (Japanese pumpkin) (PSO2) by aqueous enzymatic extraction. An enzyme mixture consisting of pectinase, cellulase, and protease (1:1:1) was used in the enzymatic extraction process. Fatty acid composition of the oils was determined using fatty acid methyl ester/gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity assays were measured by using stable free radical diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, radical cation 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, and ferric thiocyanate assay. Inhibition of enzymes involving skin aging and whitening process was investigated. Linoleic acid was a major component of all pumpkin seed oils. Additionally, there was also a significant amount of oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid detected. PSO2 possessed the highest antioxidant activities compared to PSO1 and commercial pumpkin seed oils (COM1 and COM2). Both PSO1 and PSO2 exhibited higher inhibitory effects on hyaluronidase, collagenase, and tyrosinase than the commercials. Therefore, aqueous enzymatic extraction could yield pumpkin seed oils with higher antioxidant, anti-aging, and whitening activities. This is beneficial for further pharmacological studies and can be used as a functional food for skin benefits.

Enhanced Antioxidant, Hyaluronidase, and Collagenase Inhibitory Activities of Glutinous Rice Husk Extract by Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction

“…Recently, there have been several types of enzymes used in AEE, e.g., cellulase, hemicellulases, arabanase, β-glucanase, pectinase, protease, and xylanase [ 8 , 13 , 18 ]. Cellulase (EC 3.2.1.4) from Aspergillus niger was used for the AEE of rice husk in the present study since it is one of the leading enzymes commercially produced for various industrial applications, and the enzymes from microbial sources are more stable than those from animals and plants [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Furthermore, cellulase has an ability to remove plant cell walls and crude fiber, resulting in the enhanced release of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, flavoring materials, essential oils, fatty acids, carotenoids, etc. [ 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Therefore, AEE using cellulase, which is one of the green extraction technologies, can be used as an alternative to conventional solvent extraction.…”

“…Aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) is a green extraction technology that can reduce extraction time while improving product quality [ 9 ]. AEE has been widely used for plant oil extraction, such as coconut oil [ 10 ], soybean oil [ 11 ], sesame oil [ 12 ], and pumpkin seed oil [ 13 ]. AEE has also been employed for the extraction of hydrophilic substances, including protein and phenolic compounds, particularly from plant material with a strong structure, such as pistachio green hull [ 14 ].…”

Türkiye'nin Farklı Ekolojik Koşullarında Yetiştirilen Çekirdek Kabağı Hatlarının (Cucurbita pepo L.) Kimyasal Bileşimi ve Besin Değerinin Karşılaştırılması

“…Pumpkin, which has an important place in human nutrition, is also a delicious vegetable. Pumpkin seed oil is currently used in sweets and salad dressings, and it is also a popular cosmetic ingredient (Prommaban et al, 2021). Each part of the pumpkin vegetable has been associated with one or more applications in food and health (Sharma et al, 2020).…”

Microwave and Roasting Impact on Pumpkin Seed Oil and Its Application in Full-Fat Mayonnaise Formula

“…Pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as cucurbits, a mid-sized plant genus that grows widely in moderate, tropical, and subtropical climates worldwide [ 1 ]. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of essential fatty acids and bioactive molecules such as β-carotene, α-tocopherol, vitamin B, lutein, phytosterols, and other minerals [ 2 ]. Moreover, among sterols, which lower the risk of cardiovascular mortality, the Δ7-sterols are specific to pumpkin seed oil and are supposed to confer to this oil a beneficial effect in the treatment and prophylaxis of the prostate gland and bladder disorders [ 3 , 4 ].…”