Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The edible seeds of pumpkin plants (genus Cucurbita) are becoming increasingly appreciated as functional foods for their nutritional benefits, medicinal properties, and bioactive compounds, including lipids, proteins, and antioxidants. Particularly, the naked seeds of Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca have proved to yield both an edible oil showing anti-inflammatory properties in treating skin disorders and hydro-alcoholic extracts effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. In this study, a detailed and extensive analysis of the eco-friendly alcoholic extract of the seeds of this variety was accomplished by using LC-HRMSMS techniques, with the main aim to broaden the knowledge on bioactive lipids other than the already reported fatty acids. The obtained results highlighted the occurrence of numerous compounds belonging to different classes of polar and neutral lipids, such as phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids, acylglycerols, and oxylipins. Noteworthily, a significant presence of Cer-(EO)LCBs, i.e., Cer-EOS-type ceramides with different long chain base (LCB) and fatty acid composition, was detected, representing a real novelty for pumpkin. Additionally, a good number of multiflorane-type triterpenoids were detected, only some of which were previously reported in this plant. These findings highlight the nutraceutical value of these edible seeds.
Source: Foods
Institutions: University of Salerno, University of Palermo
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Funder: European Commission
Award: G5350642880
OpenAlex ID: W7165123283