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The seeds of three varieties of melon (Cucumis melo L.) from Bulgaria were analyzed for their chemical composition and a detailed study of their lipids was carried out. Chemical composition values were as follows: fat content ranged from 41.6 to 44.5%, protein 34.4 to 39.8%, crude fiber 4.5 to 8.5%, carbohydrates 8.2 to 12.7%, soluble sugars 3.7 to 4.2%, and minerals 4.6 to 5.1%. The content of sterols, phospholipids, and tocopherols in the oils was 0.6, 0.7-1.7%, and 435-828 mg/kg, respectively. The major fatty acid in lipids was linoleic (51.1-58.5%), followed by oleic acid (24.8-25.6%). The trilinolein (31.3-32.2%), oleo dilinolein (31.0-34.0%), and palmitoyl dilinolein (14.9-22.3%) have represented 80.0% from the total triglyceride composition of the melon seeds oil. β-Sitosterol predominated in both free and esterified sterols, being, respectively, 52.9-70.8 and 50.4-58.4%. Phosphatidylinositol (24.4-33.9%), phosphatidylcholine (23.0-33.1%), and phosphatidylethanolamine (8.4-17.1%) were the main phospholipids. Palmitic acid (34.4-61.7%) was the major fatty acid of the phospholipids, followed by oleic acid (8.9-27.2%). Linoleic acid (32.7-39.1%) was the main component among the fatty acids of the sterol esters, followed by oleic acid (25.1-30.7%). In the tocopherol fraction of melon seed oils, the main component γ-tocopherol varied from 71.4 to 91.5%.The group's main research activities are to lead investigations over the chemical and lipid composition of different animal fats and vegetable oils; determination of their biologically active components and the possibilities of their application in food, medicine, and cosmetic industry.The research reported in this paper could relates to wider projects as stabilization of melon seed oils with different natural antioxidants; determination of the best antioxidant for these oils following of subjecting the oils of long-term storage and investigating how their chemical and lipid composition change during the storage under different conditions. PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENTThe seeds of three melon varieties (Cucumis melo) from Bulgaria were analyzed for their chemical and lipid composition. Chemical composition consisted as follows: fats, proteins, crude fiber, carbohydrates, soluble sugar, and minerals. The lipid composition of melon seeds included fatty acids, sterols, phospholipids, and tocopherols. They take part in the biologically active components, which contribute to the natural preservation of the oils from auto-oxidation. The major fatty acid in lipids was linoleic, followed by oleic acid. The trilinolein, oleo dilinolein, and palmitoyl dilinolein have represented 80.0% from the total triglyceride composition of the oils. β-Sitosterol predominated in sterols. Phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were the main phospholipids. Palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids of the phospholipids. Linoleic and oleic acids were the main components among the fatty acids of the sterol esters. The main component in tocopherol fracti...

SUMMARY:Changes in the chemical and lipid composition of Cucurbita moschata seeds and seed oils at different stages of development were investigated. The oil content of the seeds at 30, 60 and 90 days after flowering was 10.7, 41.1, and 47.1%, respectively. The amount of proteins was 26.0, 35.9, and 38.2%. The contents of carbohydrates soluble in ethanol were 9.5, 1.8 and 1.3%. The starch and fiber percentage contents were 16.3, 6.8, 2.3 and 4.0, 6.9 and 10.0, respectively and the ash contents were 7.2, 4.7, and 4.5%. The total sterol percentages were found to be 2.0, 0.8 and 0.6 in the oils and 0.2, 0.3 and 0.3 in the seeds. The tocopherol contents were 2010, 512 and 527 mg·kg −1 in the oil, and 215, 210 and 250 mg·kg −1 in the seeds. The total phospholipid percentages were 8.7, 0.8 and 0.4 in the oils and 0.9, 0.3 and 0.2 in the seeds. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography and the major fatty acids in the oils at all stages of ripening were linoleic (40.8-50.2%) followed by palmitic (21.5-25.9%) and oleic (20.5-21.0%).KEYWORDS: Chemical composition; Cucurbita moschata; Fatty acids; Phospholipids; Seeds developing; Sterols; Tocopherols RESUMEN: Cambios en la composición de las semillas de calabaza (Cucurbita moschata) durante el desarrollo y la maduración. Se determinaron los cambios en la composición química y en los lípidos de semillas de Cucurbita moschata así como en los aceites extraídos en diferentes etapas del desarrollo de las semillas. El contenido de aceite a los 30, 60 y 90 días después de la floración fue de 10,7, 41,1 y 47,1%, respectivamente. La cantidad de proteínas fue del 26,0, 35,9 y 38,2% y el contenido de hidratos de carbono solubles en etanol fue de 9,5, 1,8 y 1,3%. Los contenidos de almidón y fibras fueron 16,3, 6,8, 2,3% y 4,0, 6,9 y 10,0%, respectivamente y el contenido de cenizas fue de 7.2%, 4.7% y 4.5%. Se encontró un contenido total de esteroles del 2,0, 0,8 y 0,6% en los aceites y de 0,2, 0,3 y 0,3% en las semillas. El contenido de tocoferoles fue 2010, 512 y 527 mg·kg −1 en el aceite, y 215, 210 y 250 mg·kg −1 en las semillas. Los contenidos de fosfolípidos totales fueron de 8,7, 0,8 y 0,4% en los aceites y 0,9, 0,3 y 0,2% en las semillas. La composición de ácidos grasos determinada mediante cromatografía de gases mostró como principal ácido graso de los aceites en todas las etapas de maduración al linoleico (40,8 a 50,2%), seguido por palmítico (21,5 a 25,9%) y oleico (20,5 a 21,0%).

The fruits of horse and sweet chestnut have a close lipid composition. The oils are rich in essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic, as well as biologically active substances: phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols. This fact determines the good food value of sweet chestnut fruit and the possibilities for use of horse chestnuts in pharmacy and for technical purposes.

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