Investigates the ability of plant extracts from Lens culinaris to protect zucchini from the Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV).

Evaluate the impact of extracts from the Lens culinaris plant on a number of physiological and biochemical parameters in squash leaves infected with ZYMV in this work. Compared to the untreated leaves, ZYMV infected leaves showed a range of symptoms, such as severe mosaic, size reduction, stunting, and deformation. Analysis of physiological data revealed that L. culinaris extract lectin therapies and viral infections had an impact on metabolism. Protein, carbohydrate, and pigment levels were all lowered by viral infection. However, phenolic compounds, total protein, total carbohydrates, total amino acids, proline, total chlorophyll and peroxidases levels are considerably elevated with all extract therapies. The other biochemical parameters also displayed a variety of changes. Moreover shoot length, number of leaves and number of flowers was significantly increased compared to viral control in all treatments. The L. culinaris extract treatment increases the plant's ZYMV resistance. This is detectable through reduction of the plants treated with lentil lectin pre and post virus inoculation, reduction in disease severity and viral concentration, and percentage of the infected plants has a virus. All findings demonstrate significant metabolic alterations brought by viral infections or L. culinaris extract treatments, and they also suggest that exogenous extract treatments is essential for activating the body's defences against ZYMV infection.

Effect of different pretreatment methods on the stability of pumpkin seed milk and potential mechanism.

Pumpkin seeds represent a valuable source of plant protein and can be utilized in the production of plant-based milks. This study aims to investigate the effects of different pretreatment techniques on the stability of Pumpkin Seed Milk (PSM) and explore potential mechanisms. Raw pumpkin seeds underwent pretreatment through roasting, microwaving, and steaming to prepare PSM. Physiochemical attributes such as composition, storage stability, and particle size of PSM were evaluated. Results indicate that stability significantly improved at roasting temperatures of 160 °C, with the smallest particle size (305 ± 40 nm) and highest stability coefficient (0.710 ± 0.002) observed. Nutrient content in PSM remained largely unaffected at 160 °C. Protein oxidation levels, infrared, and fluorescence spectra analysis revealed that higher temperatures exacerbated the oxidation of pumpkin seed emulsion. Overall, roasting raw pumpkin seeds at 160 °C is suggested to enhance PSM quality while preserving nutrient content.

Fiber from elicited butternut pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata D. cv. Ariel) modulates the human intestinal microbiota dysbiosis.

Elicited pumpkin was evaluated as a potential daily consumption product able to modulate the gut microbiota. An in vitro dynamic colonic fermentation performance with microbiota from obese volunteers was used. Prebiotic effects were observed after the pumpkin treatment. Bifidobacterium abundance was maintained during the treatment period whereas Lactobacillus increased in the transversal and descending colon. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium groups were more stable, although scarce decreasing trends were observed for same species. Increments of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (old Lactobacillus fermentum) were observed in the whole colonic tract after the treatment period. However, modulatory effects were mainly observed in the transversal and descending colon. Diverse bacteria species were increased, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides dorei, Cloacibacillus porcorum, Clostridium lactatifermentans, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus lactaris, Coprococcus catus, Alistipes shahii or Bacteroides vulgatus. The prebiotic effect of the elicited pumpkin was provided by the fiber of the pumpkin, suggesting a release of pectin molecules in the transversal and distal colonic tract through low cellulosic fiber degradation, explaining the increases in the total propionic and butyric acid in these colonic sections. Also, a possible modulatory role of carotenoids from the sample was suggested since carotenes were found in the descending colon. Hence, the results of this research highlighted pumpkin as a natural product able to modulate the microbiota towards a healthier profile.

Two Novel Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory and ACE2 Upregulating Peptides from the Hydrolysate of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Seed Meal.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seed meal (PSM), the major byproduct of pumpkin seed oil industry, was used to prepare angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) upregulating peptides. These peptides were isolated and purified from the PSM hydrolysate prepared using Neutrase 5.0 BG by ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-15 column chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two peptides with significant ACE inhibition activity were identified as SNHANQLDFHP and PVQVLASAYR with IC50 values of 172.07 and 90.69 µM, respectively. The C-terminal tripeptides of the two peptides contained Pro, Phe, and Tyr, respectively, and PVQVLASAYR also had Val in its N-terminal tripeptide, which was a favorable structure for ACE inhibition. Molecular docking results declared that the two peptides could interact with ACE through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, the two peptides performed protective function on EA.hy926 cells by decreasing the secretion of endothelin-1, increasing the release of nitric oxide, and regulating the ACE2 activity. In vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion showed the two peptides exhibited good stability against gastrointestinal enzyme digestion. In conclusion, PSM is a promising material for preparing antihypertensive peptides.

Study on the mechanisms by which pumpkin polysaccharides regulate abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic mice under oxidative stress.

Pumpkin polysaccharide (PPe-H) can perform physiological functions through its antioxidative and hypoglycemic effects; however, the mechanisms through which PPe-H regulates abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism caused by oxidative stress injury remain unclear. In the present study, streptozotocin was used to generate an acute diabetic mouse model, and the effects of PPe-H on glucose and lipid metabolism impaired by oxidative stress in diabetic mice were studied. PPe-H significantly reduced blood glucose levels and enhanced the oral glucose tolerance of diabetic mice under stress injury (p < 0.05). The analysis of liver antioxidant enzymes showed that PPe-H significantly enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT (p < 0.05), increased the GSH level, and decreased the level of MDA (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the liver tissues of mice revealed characteristic differences in the genetic and metabolic levels of the samples, which showed that PPe-H treatment may play a positive role in regulating the metabolism of methionine, cysteine, glycerol phospholipid, and linoleic acid. These results indicated that PPe-H alleviated the symptoms of hyperglycemia by regulating metabolites related to oxidative stress and glycolipid metabolism in diabetic mice.

Structural characterization and prebiotic activity of rhamnogalacturonan-I rich pumpkin pectic polysaccharide extracted by alkaline solution.

The present study aimed to investigate the structural and physicochemical characteristics of alkali-extracted pectic polysaccharide (AkPP) and to evaluate its prebiotic effects. AkPP was obtained from pumpkin pulp using an alkaline extraction method. AkPP, which had a molecular weight (Mw) of mainly 13.67 kDa and an esterification degree of 9.60%, was composed mainly of galacturonic acid (GalA), rhamnose (Rha), galactose, and arabinose. The ratio of the homogalacturonan (HG) region to the rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) region in AkPP was 48.74:43.62. In the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, the signals indicating α-1,4-linked D-GalA, α-1,2-linked L-Rha, α-1,2,4-linked L-Rha residues were well resolved, demonstrating the presence of the HG and RG-I regions in its molecular structure. Collectively, AkPP was low methoxyl pectin rich in the RG-I region with short side chains and had a low Mw. Thermal analysis revealed that AkPP had good thermal stability. Compared to inulin, AkPP more effectively promoted the proliferation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and the production of lactic, acetic, and propionic acids. This study presents the unique structural features of AkPP and provides a scientific basis for further investigation of the potential of AkPP as a promising prebiotic.

Edible film preparation by anthocyanin extract addition into acetylated cassava starch/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose matrix for oxidation inhibition of pumpkin seeds.

In this study, an edible film was fabricated by incorporating anthocyanin extract from black rice (AEBR) into acetylated cassava starch (ACS)/carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) to enhance the shelf life of pumpkin seeds. The effects of AEBR on the rheological properties of film-forming solutions, as well as the structural characterization and physicochemical properties of the film, were evaluated. Rheological properties of solutions revealed that AEBR was evenly dispersed into polymer matrix and bound by hydrogen bonds, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The appropriate AEBR addition could be compatible with polymer matrix and formed a compact film structure, improving the mechanical properties, barrier properties, and opacity. However, with further addition of AEBR, the tensile strength and water vapor permeability decreased and the tight structure was destroyed. After being stored separately under thermal and UV light accelerated conditions for 20 days, the peroxide value and acid value of roasted pumpkin seeds coated with the AEBR film showed a significant reduction. Moreover, the storage stability of AEBR was improved through the embedding of ACS/CMC biopolymers. These results indicated that AEBR film could effectively delay pumpkin seeds oxidation and prolong their shelf life as an antioxidant material.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Cucurbita okeechobeensis extracts from its aerial parts, seeds, and fruit shells.

The Cucurbita genus has been widely used in traditional medicinal systems across different countries. In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic effects of methanol and aqueous extracts obtained from the aerial parts, seeds, and fruit shells of Cucurbita okeechobeensis. Antioxidant properties were assessed using various chemical methods, including radical quenching (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), metal chelation, and phosphomolybdenum assays. The extracts' enzyme inhibitory effects were tested against cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase, whereas different cancer cell lines were used for the cytotoxicity study. The chemical composition, evaluated by HPLC-ESI-MSn, showed that the most abundant compounds were flavonoids (mainly quercetin glycosides) followed by phenolic acids (mostly caffeic acid derivatives). The aerial parts displayed stronger antioxidant ability than the seed and fruit shells, in agreement with the highest content in phytochemicals. In addition, the methanol extracts presented the highest bioactivity and content in phytochemicals; among them, the extract of the aerial part exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis. Overall, our results suggest that C. okeechobeensis is a valuable source of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Effect of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché on glutathione level and glycosylated hemoglobin percentage in a Mexican rural population with type 2 diabetes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE: Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché fruit is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) because it has been attributed with antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties in different experimental models and T2D patients. An imbalance in physiological glutathione (GSH) concentrations increases the susceptibility to developing complications associated with oxidative stress in T2D patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of C. ficifolia on the antioxidant properties of GSH, general health measurements, and biochemical parameters in a Mexican rural population, and to evaluate the changes in socio-affective scores of patients due to improvement in T2D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven women diagnosed with T2D with poor glycemic control volunteered and were divided into two groups: C. ficifolia (0.5 g/kg of fresh pulp weight) with hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy, and another group with only hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy, for 12 weeks. We evaluated the effect of the fresh pulp of C. ficifolia on body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and GSH. Expanding the study, we evaluated the quality of life, anxiety, and depression scores before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Treatment with the fresh pulp of C. ficifolia for 12 weeks reduced glycosylated hemoglobin, similar to the hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy group, and significantly increased GSH concentrations. The patients' moods did not change despite increased GSH concentrations and improved T2D control. CONCLUSIONS: The increased GSH concentrations due to the consumption of fresh pulp of C. ficifolia could help to protect against oxidative stress and extend therapeutic benefits in addition to the usual hypoglycemic drugs in patients with T2D.

Deciphering Multi-target Pharmacological Mechanism of Cucurbita pepo Seeds against Kidney Stones: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approach.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is a prevalent condition with significant morbidity and economic implications. The economic burden associated with urolithiasis primarily stems from medical expenses. Previous literature suggests that herbal plants, including Cucurbita pepo, have lithotriptic capabilities. C. pepo is an annual, herbaceous, widely grown, and monoecious vegetative plant known for its antioxidants, fibers, and fatty acids. Recent studies on C. pepo seeds have shown therapeutic potential in reducing bladder stones and urodynamic illnesses, like kidney stones. However, the precise molecular and pharmacological mechanisms are unclear. OBJECTIVE: In this research, we employed network pharmacology and molecular docking to examine the active compounds and biological mechanisms of Cucurbita pepo against kidney stones. METHODS: Active constituents were obtained from previous studies and the IMPPAT database, with their targets predicted using Swiss target prediction. Kidney stone-associated genes were collected from DisGeNET and GeneCards. The active constituent-target-pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape, and the target protein-protein interaction network was generated using the STRING database. Gene enrichment analysis of C. pepo core targets was conducted using DAVID. Molecular docking was performed to identify potential kidney stone-fighting agents. RESULTS: The findings revealed that Cucurbita pepo contains 18 active components and has 192 potential gene targets, including AR, EGFR, ESR1, AKT1, MAPK3, SRC, and MTOR. Network analysis demonstrated that C. pepo seeds may prevent kidney stones by influencing disease-related signaling pathways. Molecular docking indicated that key kidney stone targets (mTOR, EGFR, AR, and ESR1) effectively bind with active constituents of C. pepo. CONCLUSION: These findings provide insight into the anti-kidney stone effects of Cucurbita pepo at a molecular level. In conclusion, this study contributes to understanding the potential of Cucurbita pepo in combating kidney stones and lays the foundation for further research.

Residue dynamics of a contact and a systemic fungicide in pollen, nectar, and other plant matrices of courgette (Cucurbita pepo L.).

Pollen and nectar can be contaminated with a range of pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Since these matrices are important food sources for pollinators and other beneficial insects, their contamination can represent a key route of exposure. However, limited knowledge exists with respect to pesticide residue levels and their dynamics in these matrices for many crops and active ingredients (AIs). We used controlled glasshouse studies to investigate the residue dynamics of a systemic (cyprodinil) and a contact (fludioxonil) fungicide in the floral matrices and other plant parts of courgette/zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.). We aimed to better understand the processes behind residue accumulation and decline in pollen and nectar. Each AI was applied to plants, either by spraying whole plants or by targeted spraying onto leaves only. Samples of pollen, nectar, anthers, flowers, and leaves were taken on the day of application and each subsequent morning for up to 13 days and analysed for residues using LC-MS/MS. Significant differences in residue levels and dynamics were found between AIs and floral matrices. The present study allowed for the identification of potential routes by which residues translocate between tissues and to link those to the physicochemical properties of each AI, which may facilitate the prediction of residue levels in pollen and nectar. Residues of the contact AI declined more quickly than those of the systemic AI in pollen and nectar. Our results further suggest that the risk of oral exposure for pollinators may be considerably reduced by using contact AIs during the green bud stage of plants, but application of systemic compounds could still result in a low, but continuous long-term exposure for pollinators with limited decline.

Pumpkin seed oil: a comprehensive review of extraction methods, nutritional constituents, and health benefits.

Pumpkin seed oil (PSO), a rich source of nutrients, is extracted from the seeds of different pumpkin varieties for food and medicines. This article aims to provide an evidence-based review of the literature and to explore the extraction technologies, nutritional properties, and biological activity of PSO. From previous literature, PSO contains a large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid as the main component, and an amount of tocopherol, phytosterol, and phenolic acids. Some differences in the yield, composition, and physicochemical properties of PSO can be associated with the pumpkin's cultivars and the extraction methods. Some novel technologies involved in supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction, and ultrasound-assisted extraction have been replacing the conventional technologies gradually as promising methods for the safe, non-polluting, and effective recovery of PSO. This healthy vegetable oil was reported by several in vitro and in vivo studies to have potential protective roles in oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Processing effects on the protein quality and functional properties of cold-pressed pumpkin seed meal.

Environmental and food security challenges due to a growing world population may be overcome by using alternative protein sources for the human diet. By-products from edible oil processing industries are potential sources due to their high protein content. Pumpkin seed meals were evaluated regarding proximate composition, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), amino acid profile and score, and antinutritional factors. Conventional thermal processing, microwave, and ultrasound treatments impact on samples' nutritional quality were assessed using a central composite experimental design. Raw pumpkin seed meal presented up to 45% protein content and 86% IVPD. Processing increased IVPD up to 96%, with optimized conditions of 87.8 °C, pH8.0, and 37 min, for all processes. Lysine was the only limiting amino acid for raw and processed samples. Phytic acid decreased by 31%, while trypsin inhibitory activity was reduced by 84%. Pumpkin seed by-product is a promising high-quality plant protein source for food formulations.

Comparative Analysis of Traditional Oriental Herbal Fruits as Potential Sources of Polyphenols and Minerals for Nutritional Supplements.

There are a plethora of plant species in India, which have been widely used in vegetable dishes, soups, desserts and herbal medicine. In addition to these traditional uses, today there is the extra possibility of also being able to use these plants in the nutritional supplements industry due to their favorable antioxidant and mineral composition. In this sense, thirteen vegetable species-Chanania lanzan, Ziziphus mauritiana, Nilumbo nucifera, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa aegyptiaca, Praecitrullus fistulosus, Benincasa hispida, Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus and Cucurbita maxima-have been analyzed. In this paper we discuss the distribution of polyphenols and minerals (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, P, S, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, As and Pb) in different seed parts (the rhizome, pericarp, carpel, seed coat and kernel) of the above species and their possible use in the nutritional supplements industry. The concentrations of total polyphenols, flavonoids and minerals ranged from 407 to 3144 mg rutin hydrate/100 g, 24 to 3070 mg quercetin/100 g and 1433 to 7928 mg/100 g, respectively. K, Ca, P and S were abundant in these herbal fruits. In two species of herbal fruits, Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia chebula, only part of the seed structure was suitable for use in nutritional supplements.

Can pumpkin save us of doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity? / ¿Puede la calabaza salvarnos de la cardiotoxicidad inducida por doxorrubicina?

SUMMARY: Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the drugs necessary for the treatment of the 10 most common types of cancer. The leading adverse effect limiting clinical use of DOX is cardiotoxicity. Given that literature data indicate a protective role of carotenoids in doxorubicin-induced toxicity, in our study we compared the cardioprotective effect of a mixture of pumpkin carotenoids and a commercially available antioxidant preparation. Animals were distributed in 8 groups (Control - S; NADES - N; Doxorubicin - Dox; Carotenoids - Car; CardiofortIN - CF; NADES-Doxorubicin - N-Dox; Carotenoids-Doxorubicin - Car-Dox; CardiofortIN-Doxorubicin - CF-Dox). Histological sections were stained with the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and analyzed for the presence of myocardial damage by doxorubicin damage score (DDS). From the heart tissue homogenate were determined the intensity of lipid peroxidation and specific antioxidative enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase; catalase; glutathione S-transferase; glutathione peroxidase). In Car-DOX and CF-DOX groups, lipid peroxidation is significantly reduced compared to DOX group. Pretreatment of animals with carotenoids and in lesser extent with CardiofortIN led to higher antioxidative enzymes activity, compared to DOX group. Pretreated with carotenoids, only 50 % of animals had some degree of myocardial damage, and no animals had extensive damage. CardiofortIN pretreatment showed less protective effect. Pretreatment with carotenoid extract, reduced DDS significantly, so Car-DOX group has changes equivalent to mild myocardial damage. Although CardiofortIN pretreatment lowered DDS score values, animals still had moderate level of myocardium damage. This in vivo study and its findings indicate that carotenoids extracted from pumpkin may be a promising cardioprotective agent against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity, at least in part mediated through inhibition of DOX-induced oxidative stress.

La doxorrubicina (DOX) es uno de los fármacos necesarios para el tratamiento de los 10 tipos más comunes de cáncer. El principal efecto adverso que limita el uso clínico de DOX es la cardiotoxicidad. Debido a que los datos de la literatura indican un papel protector de los carotenoides en la toxicidad inducida por doxorrubicina, en nuestro estudio comparamos el efecto cardioprotector de una mezcla de carotenoides de calabaza y una preparación antioxidante disponible comercialmente. Los animales se distribuyeron en 8 grupos (Control - S; NADES - N; Doxorrubicina - Dox; Carotenoides - Car; CardiofortIN - CF; NADES-Doxorrubicina - N-Dox; Carotenoides-Doxorrubicina - Car-Dox; CardiofortIN- Doxorrubicina - CF-Dox). Las secciones histológicas se tiñeron con hematoxilina-eosina (HE) y se analizaron para detectar la presencia de daño miocárdico mediante la puntuación de daño por doxorrubicina (DDS). A partir del homogeneizado de tejido cardíaco se determinó la intensidad de la peroxidación lipídica y la actividad enzimática antioxidante específica (superóxido dismutasa, catalasa, glutatión S-transferasa, glutatión peroxidasa). En los grupos Car-DOX y CF-DOX, la peroxidación lipídica se redujo significativamente en comparación con el grupo DOX. El pre tratamiento de los animales con carotenoides y, en menor medida, con CardiofortlN condujo a una mayor actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes, en comparación con el grupo DOX. Al ser pre tratados con carotenoides, solo el 50 % de los animales tenían algún grado de daño miocárdico y ningún animal tenía daño extenso. El pre tratamiento con CardiofortIN mostró un efecto protector menor. El pre tratamiento con extracto de carotenoides redujo significativamente el DDS, por lo que el grupo Car-DOX mostró cambios equivalentes a un daño miocárdico leve. Aunque el pre tratamiento con CardiofortIN redujo los valores de la puntuación DDS, los animales aún tenían un nivel moderado de daño al miocardio. Este estudio in vivo y sus hallazgos indican que los carotenoides extraídos de la calabaza pueden ser un agente cardioprotector prometedor contra la cardiotoxicidad inducida por doxorrubicina, al menos en parte mediada por la inhibición del estrés oxidativo inducido por DOX.

Structural diversity and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides isolated from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) by different methods.

Natural polysaccharides were isolated and purified from Cucurbita moschata by hot water extraction and mild acid-base sequential extraction. Chemical and instrumental studies revealed that hot water-extracted and mild acid-extracted polysaccharides with molecular masses of 48 kDa and 85 kDa were both pectic polysaccharides with homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) domains, while mild acid-extracted polysaccharide was more dominated by branched RG-I with higher contents of galactose (10.59 %) and arabinose (8.08 %). Furthermore, mild acid-extracted polysaccharide exhibited better thickening and emulsifying properties, likely due to its larger molecular mass and higher branching degree. Mild base-extracted polysaccharide with a molecular mass of 18 kDa was a glucan-like polysaccharide. It showed the strongest thermostability and gel behavior among these pumpkin polysaccharides, likely attributed to its unique network structure stabilized by substantial intra/intermolecular hydrogen bonds. This study aimed to establish the structure-property relationships between these structurally diverse pumpkin polysaccharides from different extraction methods and provided theoretical foundations for their targeted application in foods.

Statistical optimization and characterization of fucose-rich polysaccharides extracted from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) along with antioxidant and antiviral activities.

Biologically active phytochemicals from pumpkin reveal versatile medical applications, though little is known about their antiviral activity. The fucose-rich polysaccharide extraction conditions were optimized through Box-Behnken design and purified by column chromatography. The purified fucose-rich polysaccharide was characterized through SEM, FT-IR, 1H NMR, XRD, TGA, and GS-MS. The analysis results revealed an irregular and porous surface of the purified polysaccharide with high fucose, rhamnose, galactose, and glucose contents. The tested fucose-rich polysaccharides revealed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity at very low concentrations. The purified fucose-rich polysaccharides exerted a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses, accompanied by high safety toward normal cells, where the maximum safe doses (EC100) were estimated to be about 3-3.9 mg/mL for both Vero and PBMC cell lines. Treatment of HCV, ADV7, HSV1, and HIV viruses with the purified polysaccharides showed a potent dose-dependent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 95.475, 20.96, 5.213, and 461.75 µg/mL, respectively. This activity was hypothesized to be through inhibiting the viral entry in HCV infection and inhibiting the reverse transcriptase activity in HIV. The current study firstly reported the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities of Cucurbita maxima fucose-rich polysaccharide against several viral infections.

Inter and intraspecific variability of dieldrin accumulation in Cucurbita fruits: New perspectives for food safety and phytomanagement of contaminated soils.

Due to past agricultural practices, it is common to identify arable soils contaminated with persistent and potentially toxic organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Occurrence of OCPs, including dieldrin, in vegetables can lead to chronic exposure of the consumers. Some market vegetables, particularly the Cucurbitaceae, are known to accumulate high OCP concentrations. Dieldrin concentration in Cucurbita fruits can exceed the Maximal Residue Limit (MRL) resulting in cultivation and sale restrictions for market gardeners. To assess the intra- and interspecific variability of Cucurbitaceae species for low dieldrin concentration in fruits could be a solution. Here, 24 varieties from seven Cucurbitaceae species were cultivated outdoors in large pots, until fruiting, in soils historically contaminated with dieldrin. More than 330 fruits were harvested and analyzed for determining the inter and intraspecific variability of dieldrin accumulation. Significant interspecific differences occurred with mean fruit concentration ranging between 4.2 ± 7.0 and 85.0 ± 19.4 µg dieldrin kg-1 fresh weigh (FW) in watermelons (C. lanatus L.) and cucumbers (C. sativus L.), respectively. Intraspecific differences only occurred for Cucurbita pepo L. with mean concentration ranging between 4.9 ± 1.1 and 70.3 ± 3.6 µg dieldrin kg-1 FW for the varieties Noire maraîchère and Orélia, respectively. For this plant species, the influence of soil concentration, plant exposure time and biomass on fruit dieldrin concentration depended mainly on varieties.

Cold pressed pumpkin seed oil fatty acids, carotenoids, volatile compounds profiles and infrared fingerprints as affected by storage time and wax-based oleogelation.

BACKGROUND: Pumpkin seed and sunflower oil are rich in bioactive compounds, but are prone to oxidation during storage. Their fatty acids, carotenoid and volatile compounds and their Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) profiles were studied during 8 months storage in order to assess the overall quality, but also to assess the impact of the oleogelation as conditioning process. RESULTS: The fatty acids methyl esters were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The linoleic acid was the most abundant in the oils (604.6 g kg-1 in pumpkin and 690 g kg-1 in sunflower), but also in oleogels. Through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), lutein and ß-carotene were determined as specific carotenoid compounds of the pumpkin seed oil and oleogel, in a total amount of 0.0072 g kg-1 . The volatile compounds profile revealed the presence of alpha-pinene for the pumpkin seed oil and oleogels and a tentative identification of limonene for the sunflower oil. Hexanal was also detected in the oleogels, indicating a thermal oxidation, which was further analyzed through infrared spectroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: During 8 months storage, the decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acid total amount was 5.72% for the pumpkin seed oil and 3.55% for the oleogel, while in the sunflower oil samples of 2.93% and 3.28% for the oleogel. It was concluded that oleogelation might protect specific carotenoid compounds, since the oleogels displayed higher content of ß-carotene at each storage time. Hexanal and heptanal were detected during storage, regardless of the oil or oleogel type. FTIR analysis depicts the differences in the constituent fatty acids resulting due to thermal oxidation or due to storage. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Modified Solar Dryers on Colorimetric and Physicochemical Properties of Pumpkin Flower (Cucurbita maxima).

This study aimed to evaluate the solar dryers' cover material effects on the colorimetric and physicochemical properties of pumpkin flowers (Cucurbita maxima). A direct cabinet solar dryer was designed using three cover types: polycarbonate, polyethylene, and aluminum with selective surface (titanium oxide coating). A unifactorial experimental design with three levels was adopted. Pumpkin flower stability was assured by reducing the initial moisture content (95.22%) and water activity (0.989) to 3.15% and 0.276 in the polycarbonate dryer, to 3.03% and 0.279 in the selective surface dryer, and 5.19% and 0.364 in the polyethylene dryer. The drying kinetics showed that the drying time needed to achieve the moisture equilibrium was 480, 540, and 720 min in the respective dryers, depending on the ambient conditions. The initial pumpkin flower hue angle was 76.52°; however, this value decreased to 74.81, 69.52, and 70.23° in the dryers with polycarbonate, polyethylene, and the selective surface respectively; this behavior indicates a pumpkin flower tendency to orange color. The dryer with the selective surface obtained the best properties in pumpkin flowers. The pumpkin flower showed an initial total soluble solid of 1.5°Brix increased to 30°Brix in the polycarbonate and polyethylene dryers and 39°Brix in the selective dryer. The titanium oxide dryer observed an increment in ascorbic acid content from 3.5 to 8.806 mg/100 g, whereas 6.45 and 5.87 mg/100 g in the polycarbonate and polyethylene dryer, respectively.