Quality indicators and characterization of pumpkin seed oil from the macre variety (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) extracted by the expeller method

Gonzáles Iquira M.; Pompilla Cáceres N.; Acosta Gonzáles I.; Tanco Fernández P. · Vitae (2025) · DOI: 10.17533/udea.vitae.v32n2a358813

Resumen

Background: Cucurbit seeds, found in pumpkins and squashes, are part of the discarded material and contribute to the increase of solid waste in the industry, homes and points of sale, when they are separated from the edible part of the fresh fruit during its processing for consumption and marketing. However, these seeds possess nutritional properties that can be used for the benefit of the population. Objectives: The objective of this research was to characterize the pumpkin seeds of the macre variety, Cucurbita maxima Duchesne species, extract their oil using the expeller method, and determine the quality indicators for human consumption. Methods: The pumpkin seeds were selected removing the unusable material. They were then dried to a moisture content of approximately 13.25%, then peeled and characterized. Oil extraction was carried out using the continuous-flow expeller method, evaluating the influence of moisture content and particle size on the yield. The extracted oil was subjected to quality analysis, determining iodine value, saponification value, refractive index, and acid value, to evaluate its quality and compare it with other commercially available edible oils. Results: Pumpkin seeds had a fat content of 48.88% and a protein content of 41.94%. Regarding oil extraction, the best yield of 41.50% was obtained at a moisture content of 5.0%. Likewise, an optimal yield of 41.88% was achieved using whole seeds at the same moisture level, indicating that the reduction at moisture positively influenced yield, while particle size had no significant effect, since it was not necessary to reduce the size of the seeds. The quality attributes of the oil showed the following values: iodine value of 116.02 g I₂/100 g, saponification value of 184.45 mg KOH/g, refractive index of 1.471 and acid value of 0.912 mg KOH/g. Conclusions: It is concluded that pumpkin seeds of the macre variety contain a high fat content and optimal oil yields when processed at low moisture content using whole seeds. In addition, the quality indicators accredit that extracted oil is suitable for human consumption.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa