Download Papitas -The Underutilized Byproduct and the Future Cash Crop

American International Journal of
Research in Formal, Applied
& Natural Sciences
Available online at http://www.iasir.net
ISSN (Print): 2328-3777, ISSN (Online): 2328-3785, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3793
AIJRFANS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by
International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA
(An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research)
Papitas -The Underutilized Byproduct and the Future Cash Crop- A
Review
Priyanka Maheshwari*, Neha Prasad and Ekta Batra
Centre for Food Technology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh,
INDIA
Abstract: Pumpkin seeds possess a good dietary and medicinal qualities but beyond these facts these seeds
are underutilized till date. Papitas are a good source of minerals and vitamins like zinc, iron, calcium,
phosphorous, potassium, niacin etc, but apart from all these it contains a good amount of essential fatty
acids, phytosterols, proteins and dietary fibres. Traditionally those seeds which were discarded by the people
but knowing the nutritional aspects pumpkin seeds can be used Waste as a versatile “Nutrition
Powerhouse”.
Keywords: Papitas, Phytosterols, Antioxidants,Cucurbitacin, Antihelmenthic, Anti-emetic
I.
Introduction
A herbaceous plant – pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceaefamily and the genus Cucurbita and scientifically
called as Cucurbitapepo L. All pumpkin posses different variety according to their species but Cucurbitapepo L.
(summer pumpkin); Cucurbita maxima duch (winter pumpkin); Cucurbitamixta pang; and
Cucurbitamoshataduch (summer and winter pumpkin) are their only edible species[5,22]. Commonly called as
Chilacayote, acorn squash, butternut squash, field pumpkin, fig-leaf gourd, pepo, pumpkin, squash, yellow
summer squash and zucchini. In Iran they are popular as Cocurbita pepo or informally “kadu tandal”. Cucurbits
mostly grow in tropical, subtropical, arid and temperate climates of the world [16]. Pumpkin plant can be grown
in various types of soil but to obtain most successful production light, sandy and loamy soil or the soil with pH
greater than 6 must be preffered. Pumpkin are mostly acquired for various purposes, that vary from nutritional to
medicinal points[21]. Many nutrients including pumpkin polysaccharides, active protein, essential amino acids,
carotenoids, phytoestrogen, selenium, fiber, cucurbitacin E, calcium, zinc and other vitamins and minerals etc.
are naturally present in cucurbita moschata and beneficial ion prevention of cancer and other disease.
II.
Seed
Pumpkin seed are very nutritious and provides best quality oil and rich source of protein but are generally
discarded during the processing of canned pumpkin or pie mix or in other processing treatments. But these
agricultural residues like plentiful flat, oval seeds boost up our health and are less expensive therefore can be
easily consume by low grade people without compromising with the nutritional aspects. The hulled and gently
roasted pumpkin seeds can be called as “papitas”. Papitas contain a compound “Cucurbitacin” which is
deworming compound used to displace tapeworms and roundworm in domestic livestock species.
Morphological structure
The central hollow cavity of each pumpkin fruit contain approx. 500 cream white husky seeds. Pumpkin seeds
are semi-flat, compact and have conical tip with ovoid shape. Kernels of pumpkin seeds are of olive green color,
crunchy and are high in calories (559 calories per 100g).Moisture content of pumpkin seed is significantly quite
low (7.73 ± 1.22%) and gamma irradiation can not substantially affect the moisture content.
III.
Compositional and Nutritional aspects of Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seed are considered as “Versatile nutritional powerhouse”. Papitas contain good quality protein
approx. 100 g of seeds provide 30 g protein that is 50% of recommended daily allowances of protein. Papitas are
the richest source of magnesium which is beneficial for blood pressure and help in preventing sudden cardiac
arrest, heart attack & stroke and also perform biological and physiological functions such as creation of ATP
(adenosine triphosphate, energy molecule for our body), in synthesizing of RNA and DNA, pumping of heart
and in maintenance of bone & teeth, in relaxation of blood vessels. Papitas are the fantastic source of zinc. It is
beneficial for maintenance of carbohydrate metabolism in the body, immune system, cell growth and
multiplication, eye and skin health, insulin regulation and male sexual functions such as sperm generation and
its movements and testosterone metabolism [3]. It is also plays an important role to reduce the risk of
osteoporosis and provide bone densitysupport and reduces the risk of bladder stone problem.[32].
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Maheshwari et al., American International Journal of Research in Formal, Applied & Natural Sciences, 12(1), September-November,
2015, pp. 31-34
These seed also accumulate protein, essential fatty acids, zinc, lignans, and phytosterols such as delta 7-sterols
and delta 5-sterols[29] essential amino acid like as tryptophan and glutamate.Papitas accumulate the higher
amount of monosaturated oil to interrupt the triggering of prostate cell multiplication by dihydrotestosterone (a
product of testosterone conversion) & mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) like oleic acid (18:1) helps in
lowering in bad LDL cholesterol and increasing in good HDL cholesterol. These also help to prevent coronary
artery disease & stroke risk by favouring healthy blood lipid profile, in lowering blood’s cholesterol level in
human beings and enhancing the immune responses.[23].
For the manufacturing of high quality protein product they can be used as basic raw materials which are
nutrition supplement and functional agents for food formulation [13,15,19,18,20]. By the hydrolysis of pumpkin
seed, antioxidative peptides can be synthesized. A special type of amino acid is present in seed which is known
as Cucurbitacin [(-)-3-amino-3-carboxypyrrolidine] specially beneficial for anti-helminthic action [34] and for
eliminating worms and action of this seed is against tapeworms, roundworms and intestinal parasites [27,8].
Papitas are examined as wealth of minerals such as niacin, calcium, and potassium and phosphorous.
Phytosterols & Cytosterols are the main component of papitas having anticancer property. Prostate cancer,
breast cancer [4,35] and colon cancer also can be cured by consuming this seed due to presence of these
phytosterols in seed[7]. Approx. 37.5 µg/g alpha tocopherol and 383 µg/g gamma tocopherol is present in fresh
dried papitas[28]. Antioxidant like vitamin E and vitamin A can prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer by
inhibiting the action of free radicals. Papitas also acts as anti-helminthic, galactogogue, and anti-emetic[25],
mildly diuretic, vermifuge[30], antidiabetic[6], antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory[2,1].
For
immune
system
Prevent Breast
Cancer
Reduce blood
cholestrol
Zinc
Phytoestrogen
Helps in lowering
in bad LDL,
Prevent coronory
artery disease,
artheriosclerosis,
heart disease &
stroke risk
For Healthy heart,
scavenge free
radicals, inhibit
carcinogenesis
As natural
sleeping pills
t
Magnesium
Tryptophan
Phytosterols
Omega-3 Fatty acid
PUMPKIN
SEED
Phosphorous
Cucurbitacin
Fiber
Potassium
Anticancer
nutrient
Helps in
muscle
contraction,
and supports in
nerve
conduction
Selenium
Helps in
Prostate health
Prevent high
Blood Pressure,
Osteoporosis,
Depress ion,
Heart disease
Enzymatic
antioxidants and
prevent cellular
damage from
free radical
IV.
Medicinal values of Papitas
Nature’s sleeping pill or boosting component:
Papitas are source of amino acid tryptophan[36] and glutamate. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin which is
worthwhile neuro-chemical and can be labelled as nature’s sleeping pills.On the other hand glutamate is
essential in synthesis of gamma-amino butyric acid(GABA) which is an anti-stress neurochemical in the brain
and helps reducing anxiety, nervous irritability& other neurotic conditions.
Vehicle for Promoting Prostate health: Cucurbitacinsa chemical substance present in these seeds prevent
conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone in the body. Production of the prostate cells cannot occur
without dihydrotestosteronethus preventing enlargement of prostate[31,26]. The risk of prostate cancer can also
be reduce by phytosterols[7] that are also present in seed[17,12,10,11].
Gynaecological effect: Papitas are responsible for curing osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer and
menopausal symptoms due to the presence of phytoestrogens which are plant metabolites and show structural
and functional similarity with 17β-estradiol [35].
V.
Pumpkin seed utilization
Pumpkin seed can be consumed in two different forms one is raw and in other roasted forms. Roasting does not
affect on the amount of fiber, protein and minerals. In both form of seed these nutrients present in roughly equal
amounts but roasting can reduces the amount of vitamin E and vitamin K. They can be serves as snack.
In food preparation and in medicines the oil extract from pumpkin seed can be used as raw material [24,14]. In
bread, pumpkin seed flour acts as a protein supplement [9].
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Maheshwari et al., American International Journal of Research in Formal, Applied & Natural Sciences, 12(1), September-November,
2015, pp. 31-34
VI.
Future prospects
In this world of globalization consumers are more conscious about their diet and prefer eating healthy foods.
Now what if this food get derived from waste? Yes it is not only possible but worthwhile also. As pumpkin
seeds contain certain phytochemical and sterols which cures diseases like cancer, arthritis, inflammation etc.
Presently seeds are used in roasted form as snacks or in some other preparations but considering nutritional
aspects it can also be used to prepare curd or shrikhand because though milk is regarded as complete food, it is
deficient in iron. Thus by fortifying such minerals from underutilized waste can be a source for the treatment of
several deficiency diseases like anemia, prostate cancer, depression, learning problem etc.
Past Use
Used as folk remedy
Under utilised Waste
Present Use
Roasted seed as snacks
Fortified Bread
Future Uses
To enrichment or garnishing of
bakery products
To prepare Curd and Shrikhand
VII.
Conclusion
This study brings down at certain conclusion that pumpkin seed are excellent nutrient source filled with
minerals mainly zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and selenium responsible for fighting diseases and
acts as weapon for fighting diseases such as arthritis, inflammation, prostate cancer etc. Due to presence of these
minerals. In ancient time it have been used as “folk remedy” to maintain prostate health. It is the only seed
which is alkalinein nature.This study also shows that these papitas can be used as additives in food industry for
food formulation. In earlier they were regarded as a waste but now they can play important role in food by
nutritional aspects. They can be consumed regularly without causing any side effects on human health.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful to our department, Centre for Food Technology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior & our Head Of
Department Prof. G.B.K.S Prasad for all the facilities and opportunities that we have been provided. We are
ever thankful to our guides Miss Neha Prasad and Miss Ekta Batra for their constant support and encouragement
that they have provided throughout the work. We would also like to thank our friends and family for their
motivation and encouragement.
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