Seeds and oil of the Styrian oil pumpkin: Components and biological activities

Gilbert O. Fruhwirth, Albin Hermetter*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

137 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo var. Styriaca is a phylogenetically young member of the Cucurbita spp. since the mutation leading to dark green seeds with stunted outer hulls arose only in the 19(th) century. This mutation defined the so-called Styrian oil pumpkin and facilitated the production of Styrian pumpkin seed oil. It is a regional specialty oil in the south-eastern part of Europe. In this article, we describe the production and economic value of this edible oil as well as its composition on a molecular basis, including fatty acids, vitamins, phytosterols, minerals, polyphenols, and the compounds responsible for its pigments, taste and flavor. We also describe contaminants of Styrian pumpkin seed oil and the most relevant field pests of the Styrian oil pumpkin plant. Finally, we review the putative beneficial health effects of Styrian oil pumpkin seeds and of their products.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberN/A
Pages (from-to)1128-1140
Number of pages13
JournalEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Volume109
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2007

Keywords

  • Cucurbita pepo
  • tocopherols
  • phenolics
  • benign prostate hyperplasia
  • potyvirus
  • CUCURBITA-PEPO L
  • BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
  • CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION
  • VIRUS-INFECTIONS
  • ROASTING PROCESS
  • VEGETABLE-OILS
  • VITAMIN-E
  • EXPRESSION
  • POTYVIRUS
  • P,P'-DDE

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