Macro‐ and microelements in pumpkin seed oils: Effect of processing, crop season, and country of origin

Abstract

Macro‐ and microelements in the samples of virgin and cold pressed pumpkin seed oils produced in Croatia through two consecutive crop seasons were determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES). Croatian oils were also compared to oils from Slovenia and Austria in order to assess differences in the element content. Magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, selenium, and iron were the dominant elements in all pumpkin seed oils. Their amounts together with barium, strontium, manganese, copper were up to ninefold higher ( p ≤ 0.05) in virgin compared to cold pressed pumpkin seed oils. These differences occur due to the different processing conditions which include salt addition, heat treatment, and higher degree of equipment ware out during virgin pumpkin seed oil production. As the sodium level increases with the addition of salt, virgin pumpkin seed oil could be considered its hidden source and producers should pay attention to the amount added. Contents of cobalt, copper, selenium, and thallium significantly differed ( p ≤ 0.05) between the two crop seasons. Principal component analysis revealed clear differences between samples with different origin that can be explained by the specifics in the production processes of each country. In comparison with Austrian and Slovenian, Croatian pumpkin seed oils had significantly lower contents of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and tin while bismuth and selenium were higher.

Nutritional Content and Antioxidant Capacity of the Seed and the Epicarp in Different Ecotypes of Pistacia atlantica Desf. Subsp. atlantica

“…The differences in the concentrations of mineral element in seeds between all ecotypes ( Figure 1 ) could be explained by soil variability, growing conditions, genetic factors [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The minerals are used in tissue structure and play a role in cellular metabolism and their pro-oxidant and health benefits [ 37 , 38 ].…”

“…They were from arid, semi-arid, and fresh arid climatic regions. The climate can affect the content of minerals [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The more arid climate, the more minerals are contained in seeds.…”

Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Pumpkin Seeds on Oogenesis Pathway, Liver, and Kidney of Female Rats : The Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin

“…Reactive oxidants in the follicles are necessary for the ovulatory response; therefore, the ablation of the ovarian oxygen species hinders the ovulation and the whole repertoire of essential preovulatory responses (12,13). It should be noted that more changes were observed in sex hormones at the onset of sexual maturation in comparison to after the completion of sexual development.…”

“…It should be noted that more changes were observed in sex hormones at the onset of sexual maturation in comparison to after the completion of sexual development. Abnormal levels of sex hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, can affect the kidney and liver (13)(14)(15).…”

“…Renal and hepatic failure is common among women who take steroid-containing contraceptives (14). According to previous studies, the use of certain amounts of synthetic estrogen and progesterone for the treatment of female hormone disorders may affect renal and hepatic functions in certain circumstances (13)(14)(15). For example, tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that can lead to cholestasis (16).…”