Composition cucurbit seeds

Research concerning the structure, composition, and usefulness of cucurbit seeds (gourds, melons, squash, etc.) is reviewed. Cytological features are typical of those for oilseeds. Composition-ally, decorticated seeds contain by weight 50% oil and 35% protein. The oil is unsaturated and edible however, certain species contain conju-ated trienoic fatty acids (drying oils). 

From amino acid compositions, evaluations o7" the nutritional potentials of cucurbit meals and globulins can be calculated according to FA0/WH0 (54). The A E ratios, which are the amounts of each essential amino acid relative to the total amount of essential amino acids, are shown in Table II. These data indicate that, like most other oilseeds, cucurbit seeds are deficient in lysine and sulfur-containing amino acids. However, sulfur-containing amino acids are considerably high in CitrullI us colocynthis (egusi, ancestral watermelon) seed protein and exceed the suggested level in FA0/WH0 reference protein (55). 

Table 7.4 Fatty acid composition of Cucurbit seed oils...

Because composition and nutritional properties of the major food legumes and oilseeds have been reported in numerous technical journals and books (listed above), the section devoted to composition and chemistry highlights lesser-known but potentially important sources of plant protein that have not received the same attention. Some of these food crops have been cultivated for many years so that they are not "new" sources. Such crops as winged bean, sweet potato, tropical seeds, fruits and leaves, yams and cucurbits are potential sources of protein in areas where they are grown. These are discussed in greater detail in the remaining five chapters. 

Madaan, T.R. and Lai, D.M. (1984) Some studies on the chemical composition of cucurbit kernels and their seed coats. Qual. Plant Food Human Nutr. 34, 81-86. 

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