Showing papers on "Pumpkin seed published in 2021"

Oilseed by-products as plant-based protein sources: Amino acid profile and digestibility

Abstract: The growing world population and its environmental impact motivate searching for new protein sources for the human diet. Agro-industrial by-products are potential sources due to high protein content. This study characterized meals from five sources (pumpkin seed, flaxseed, chia seed, sesame seed, and grapeseed), about the proximate composition, antinutritional factors (ANFs), amino acid profile (AA), and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD). These by-products present protein content up to 40% and IVPD between 70-85%. ANFs results presented a low phytic acid content for all seed meals and high tannins content in grapeseed meal. In terms of essential AA, the chia seed meal did not show any deficiency. In contrast, the first limiting AA in sesame meal and brown flaxseed meal was lysine, and in pumpkin seed meal, grapeseed meal, and flaxseed meal were sulfur amino acids. These agro-industrial by-products are alternatives for replacing animal protein sources due to recovering high-quality proteins, minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and conserving scarce natural resources.

Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Natural Drugs

Abstract: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting men, generally after the age of 50. The prevalence of this multifactorial disease increases with age. With aging, the plasma level of testosterone decreases, as well as the testosterone/estrogen ratio, resulting in increased estrogen activity, which may facilitate the hyperplasia of the prostate cells. Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the activity of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. In older men, the activity of this enzyme increases, leading to a decreased testosterone/DHT ratio. DHT may promote prostate cell growth, resulting in hyperplasia. Some medicinal plants and their compounds act by modulating this enzyme, and have the above-mentioned targets. This review focuses on herbal drugs that are most widely used in the treatment of BPH, including pumpkin seed, willow herb, tomato, maritime pine bark, Pygeum africanum bark, rye pollen, saw palmetto fruit, and nettle root, highlighting the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as safety issues. In addition, the pharmaceutical care and other therapeutic options of BPH, including pharmacotherapy and surgical options, are discussed, summarizing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy.

Adsorption of doxycycline hydrochloride onto powdered activated carbon synthesized from pumpkin seed shell by microwave-assisted pyrolysis

Abstract: In the present study, pumpkin seed shell activated carbon (PSSAC) was efficiently synthesized via microwave-assisted pyrolysis technique, employing pumpkin seed shell as the precursor and H3PO4 activator. The adsorptive performance of PSSAC was quantified for decontamination of water from a doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) antibiotic. Prepared PSSAC was characterized to determine its chemical and morphological characteristics employing FTIR, XRD, FESEM and zeta potential. Surface area and pore size distribution were evaluated with the help of BET and BJH characterization techniques respectively. The effect of relevant process parameters like solution pH, PSSAC dose, contact time and temperature were assessed to get the optimum experimental conditions. The kinetic and isotherm studies reveal that the adsorption process is performed via pseudo-second-order reaction and multilayer adsorption. The calculated thermodynamic parameters ( Δ H O , Δ S O and Δ G O ) represented that the adsorption of DOX onto PSSAC was endothermic, instinctive and practicable in the temperature extent of 288–318 K. Moreover, the investigation about adsorption mechanisms resulted that H-bonding and π − π electron–donor–acceptor (EDA) interactions heavily affected DOX adsorption over PSSAC. The maximum identified adsorption capacity value was 23.6 mg/g at 318 K. Good regeneration capability and high adsorption capacity of PSSAC represents its excellent potential to alleviate emerging contaminants from wastewater.

Effect of Plant Protein Extrudates on Hybrid Meatballs – Changes in Nutritional Composition and Sustainability

Abstract: To feed the world's growing population in the future, there must be a protein transition from animal-based to more sustainable, plant-based sources. Hybrid plant-meat products can bridge the protein-transition and are also focused on nutritional and sustainability aspects. While the addition of powdered proteins changes the texture of meat products, textured proteins have been shown to achieve higher sensorial acceptability. Six hybrid pork meatballs, each made with 30% wet or dry textured protein from regional pea, sunflower or Styrian pumpkin seeds and canola oil, were produced and analyzed for their fatty acid, amino acid and sustainability changes compared to respective controls. All hybrids had a higher content in essential linoleic and α-linolenic acid, an improved ω-6:ω-3 ratio and the hypothetic content in dietary fibers increased. On the contrary, the hypothetic protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score for children and therefore protein quality of the hybrids was slightly reduced, albeit high in comparison to the plant-based raw materials. The environmental impact of all hybrids was reduced in a protein- and texturization-dependent manner. Wet texturization seemed to be more sustainable than dry texturization. We conclude that textured plant proteins are a promising additive to produce meat hybrids with improved texture, nutritional composition and sustainability.

Development and Characterization of Novel Composite Films Based on Soy Protein Isolate and Oilseed Flours.

Abstract: The possibility of using oilseed flours as a waste source for film-forming materials with a combination of soy protein isolate in preparation of edible films was evaluated. Physical, mechanical and barrier properties were determined as a function of the oilseed type: hemp, evening primrose, flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower. It was observed that the addition of oilseed flours increased the refraction and thus the opacity of the obtained films from 1.27 to 9.57 A mm−1. Depending on the type of flours used, the edible films took on various colors. Lightness (L*) was lowest for the evening primrose film (L* = 34.91) and highest for the soy protein film (L* = 91.84). Parameter a* was lowest for the sunflower film (a* = −5.13) and highest for the flax film (a* = 13.62). Edible films made of pumpkin seed flour had the highest value of the b* color parameter (b* = 34.40), while films made of evening primrose flour had the lowest value (b* = 1.35). All analyzed films had relatively low mechanical resistance, with tensile strength from 0.60 to 3.09 MPa. Films made of flour containing the highest amount of protein, pumpkin and sesame, had the highest water vapor permeability, 2.41 and 2.70 × 10−9 g·m−1 s−1 Pa−1, respectively. All the edible films obtained had high water swelling values from 131.10 to 362.16%, and the microstructure of the films changed after adding the flour, from homogeneous and smooth to rough. All blended soy protein isolate–oilseed flour films showed lower thermal stability which was better observed at the first and second stages of thermogravimetric analysis when degradation occurred at lower temperatures. The oilseed flours blended with soy protein isolate show the possibility of using them in the development of biodegradable films which can find practical application in the food industry.

The use of machine learning methods in classification of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Abstract: Pumpkin seeds are frequently consumed as confection worldwide because of their adequate amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mineral contents. This study was carried out on the two most important and quality types of pumpkin seeds, “Urgup Sivrisi” and “Cercevelik”, generally grown in Urgup and Karacaoren regions in Turkey. However, morphological measurements of 2500 pumpkin seeds of both varieties were made possible by using the gray and binary forms of threshold techniques. Considering morphological features, all the data were modeled with five different machine learning methods: Logistic Regression (LR), Multilayer Perceptrons (MLP), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), and k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN), which further determined the most successful method for classifying pumpkin seed varieties. However, the performances of the models were determined with the help of the 10 k-fold cross-validation method. The accuracy rates of the classifiers were obtained as LR 87.92 percent, MLP 88.52 percent, SVM 88.64 percent, RF 87.56 percent, and k-NN 87.64 percent.

Antimicrobial Properties, Cytotoxic Effects, and Fatty Acids Composition of Vegetable Oils from Purslane, Linseed, Luffa, and Pumpkin Seeds

Abstract: In the present study, the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, as well as the fatty acids composition in vegetable seed oils from linseed, purslane, luffa, and pumpkin were evaluated. For this purpose, two linseed oils and one luffa oil were commercially obtained, while purslane and pumpkin oils were obtained from own cultivated seeds. The results showed a variable fatty acids composition among the tested oils, with α-linolenic, linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid being the most abundant compounds. In regards to particular oils, linseed oils were a rich source of α-linolenic acid, luffa and pumpkin oil were abundant in linoleic acid, while purslane oil presented a balanced composition with an almost similar amount of both fatty acids. Luffa oil was the most effective against two of the tested cancer cell lines, namely HeLa (cervical carcinoma) and NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer), while it also showed moderate toxicity against non-tumor cells (PLP2 cell line). Regarding the antibacterial activity, linseed oil 3 and pumpkin oil showed the highest activity against most of the tested bacteria (especially against Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli) with MIC and MBC values similar to the used positive controls (E211 and E224). All the tested oils showed significant antifungal activities, especially luffa and pumpkin oil, and for most of the tested fungi they were more effective than the positive controls, as for example in the case of Aspergillus versicolor, A. niger, and Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium. In conclusion, the results of our study showed promising antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties for the studied seed oils which could be partly attributed to their fatty acids composition, especially the long-chain ones with 12–18 carbons.

Antibiotic Removal from Aquatic Environment with Activated Carbon Produced from the Pumpkin Seeds

Abstract: Antibiotics are among the most critical environmental pollutant drug groups. One of the methods used to remove this pollution is adsorption. In this study, activated carbon was produced from the pumpkin seed shell and then modified with KOH. This adsorbent obtained was used in the re-moval of ciprofloxacin from aqueous systems. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), elemental, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Zeta analyzes were used for the characterization of the ad-sorbent. In particular, the surface area was found to be a very remarkable value of 2730 m2/g. The conditions of the adsorption experiments were optimized based on interaction time, adsorbent amount, pH and temperature. Over 99% success has been achieved in removal works carried out under the most optimized conditions. In addition, it was determined that the Langmuir isotherm is the most suitable model for the adsorption interaction.

Soybean Meal Can Be Replaced by Faba Beans, Pumpkin Seed Cake, Spirulina or Be Completely Omitted in a Forage-Based Diet for Fattening Bulls to Achieve Comparable Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the complete substitution of imported soybean meal in beef cattle diets and the consequences on performance, meat, and adipose tissue quality. Thirty growing crossbred Limousin bulls, with an initial bodyweight of 164 ± 13 kg and 4.3 ± 0.3 months of age, were fed a grass/maize-silage based diet with little additional concentrate (0.5:0.3:0.2). Concentrates contained either soybean meal (positive control), faba beans, pumpkin seed cake, or spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), resulting in about 226 g crude protein (CP)/kg concentrate dry matter (DM) and 158 g CP/kg total diet DM. A grain-based concentrate providing just 135 g CP/kg concentrate DM and 139 g CP/total diet DM served as a negative control. Bulls of all groups had comparable average daily gains (1.43 ± 0.1 kg) and feed intakes (6.92 ± 0.37 kg). Carcass and meat quality did not differ among groups. The fatty acid profile of meat lipids was hardly affected. These results indicate that soybean meal can be replaced by any of the tested protein sources without impairing performance or meat quality. Importantly, bulls fed the negative control achieved a fattening and slaughter performance comparable to that of the protein-supplemented groups without affecting meat and adipose tissue quality. Thus, the present findings suggest that feeding crossbred bulls a grass/maize-silage based diet does not require additional protein supplementation.

Effect of fat and sugar replacement on rheological, textural and nutritional characteristics of multigrain cookies.

Abstract: Fat and sugar are responsible for the structure of cookies but make them nutritionally inferior. Therefore, in the present study, cookies with improved nutrition using whole wheat flour (WWF) and incorporation of multigrain mix (MM-oats, peas and fenugreek flours) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels was studied. Further, fat was replaced using pumpkin seed (PS) or watermelon seed (WS) at 25, 50 and 75% level and sugar was replaced using dry dates (DD) or raisins (RS) separately at 20, 40 and 60%. MM having protein at 15.13% and dietary fibre at 12.83% significantly decreased the water absorption (68.1–60.6%), stability (2.52–1.35 min), amylograph peak viscosity (665–821 BU), and cookie dough hardness (1737–690.5) at 100% MM. Based on the physico-sensory analysis, 75% replacement of WWF with MM was selected for replacement of fat or sugar. Addition of PS or WS increased the dough hardness (1235–4103 g), whereas the spread ratio of cookies decreased from 6.25 and 6.31 to 5.54 and 4.06 respectively. Replacement of fat with PS at 50%, sugar by DD at 40% along with a combination of sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL) and glycerol mono stearate (GMS) showed improvement in the cookie texture. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) of cookie showed coating of starch granules and appearance of sheet-like covering of protein network. The mono and polyunsaturated fatty acid profile of cookies improved apart from a two-fold increase in protein and three-fold increase in dietary fibre.

The Young Age and Plant-Based Diet Hypothesis for Low SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract: Since the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that caused the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), in December 2019, the infection has spread around the globe. Some of the risk factors include social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing with soap, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and dysbiosis. Evidence has shown the incidence of total infection and death rates to be lower in sub-Saharan Africa when compared with North Africa, Europe and North America and many other parts of the world. The higher the metabolic syndrome rate, the higher the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Africa has a lower rate of metabolic syndrome risk than many other continents. This paradox has puzzled several in the biomedical and scientific communities. Published results of research have demonstrated the exciting correlation that the combination of young age of the population coupled with their native plant-based diet has lowered their risk factors. The plant-based diet include whole grains (millet, sorghum), legumes (black-eye peas, dry beans, soybean), vegetables, potato, sweet potato, yams, squash, banana, pumpkin seeds, and moringa leaves, and lower consumption of meat. The plant-based diet results in a different gut microbiota than of most of the rest of the world. This has a significant impact on the survival rate of other populations. The "plant-based diet" results in lower rates of obesity, diabetes and dysbiosis, which could contribute to lower and less severe infections. However, these hypotheses need to be supported by more clinical and biostatistics data.

Vegetable oils as green solvents for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin ( Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber) byproducts: Optimization of extraction parameters

Abstract: Pumpkin pulp is the main waste generated by pumpkin seed growers. This agro-industrial waste is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, and lutein), which exhibit a broad spectrum of health-promoting effects. In this study, vegetable oils (canola, corn, and soybean oil) were used as green solvent alternatives to conventional organic solvents for carotenoid extraction from dried pumpkin pulp (DPP) waste. The highest carotenoid extraction yield (CEY) was obtained with canola oil, at a 1:10 DPP/oil ratio. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction process parameters (temperature, time, and stirring rate) through a Box-Behnken design (BBD) maximizing CEY in canola oil. The extraction temperature and stirring rate were found to have a significant linear and quadratic effect, respectively, on CEY. Optimum conditions were achieved at 21.8 min, 250 rpm, and 60°C. Under these optimized conditions, the estimated value for CEY was 378.1 µg β-carotene equivalents/g of DPP, corresponding to 61.6% of the total carotenoid content present in the DPP. In contrast, the observed experimental value was 373.2 µg β-carotene equivalents/g of DPP (61.2%). The experimental value was very close to the estimated value, which verifies the model's adequacy and fit. This study shows an alternative method to extract carotenoids from DPP with canola oil, obtaining an oil naturally enriched with carotenoids that could be used as a potential functional ingredient in the development of food, cosmetics, and medicinal products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pumpkin by-products are a potential carotenoid source. Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative solvent for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin residues to obtain an enriched carotenoid oil that can be used to formulate food products.

Vibro-Fluidized Bed Drying of Pumpkin Seeds: Assessment of Mathematical and Artificial Neural Network Models for Drying Kinetics

Abstract: Pumpkin seeds were dried in a vibro-fluidized bed dryer (VFBD) at different temperatures at optimized vibration intensity of 4.26 and 4 m/s air velocity. The drying characteristics were mapped employing semiempirical models and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Prediction of drying behavior of pumpkin seeds was done using semiempirical models, of which, one was preferred as it indicated the best statistical indicators. Two-term model showed the best fit of data with R2 − 0.999, and lowest χ2 − 1.03 × 10−4 and MSE 7.55 × 10−5. A feedforward backpropagation ANN model was trained by the Levenberg–Marquardt training algorithm using a TANSIGMOID activation function with 2-10-2 topology. Performance assessment of ANN showed better prediction of drying behavior with R2 = 0.9967 and MSE = 5.21 × 10−5 for moisture content, and R2 = 0.9963 and MSE = 2.42 × 10−5 for moisture ratio than mathematical models. In general, the prediction of drying kinetics and other drying parameters was more precise in the ANN technique as compared to semiempirical models. The diffusion coefficient, Biot number, and hm increased from 1.12 × 10−9 ± 3.62 × 10−10 to 1.98 × 10−9 ± 4.61 × 10−10 m2/s, 0.51 ± 0.01 to 0.60 ± 0.01, and 1.49 × 10−7 ± 4.89 × 10−8 to 3.10 × 10−7 ± 7.13 × 10−8 m/s, respectively, as temperature elevated from 40 to 60°C. Arrhenius’s equation was used to the obtain the activation energy of 32.71 ± 1.05 kJ/mol.

Effect of Roasting on the Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Composition, and Nutritional Quality of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seeds

Abstract: In recent years, with the increasing awareness of health concerns and environment protection needs, there is a growing interest for consumers to choose plant-based food diets compared with those made from animal origin. Pumpkin seed is an excellent dietary source for protein, oil, and some essential micronutrients. Raw pumpkin seed may have a compromised flavor, color, as well as digestibility. Therefore, the objective of present study is to study the influence of roasting (120, 160, and 200°C for 10 min) on the phenolics content, flavonoids content, antioxidant property, fatty acids, and volatile matter composition, as well as protein profile of pumpkin seeds. Our results indicated that, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids content, as a consequence, total antioxidant capacity increased as the roasting temperature increased. Maillard reaction products and lipid peroxidation products were identified, especially from those pumpkin seeds roasted at high temperature. In the meantime, the composition and content of fatty acids did not change significantly after roasting. The results of electrophoresis and particle size analysis showed that the optimum roasting temperature was 160°C to obtain protein with better nutritional quality. The findings of this study may contribute to the utilization of pumpkin seed component in plant-based diets with increased nutritional quality.

Ultrasound-assisted three phase partitioning for simultaneous extraction of oil, protein and polysaccharide from pumpkin seeds

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction effects of the simultaneous extraction and separation of pumpkin seed oil (PSO), pumpkin seed protein (PSP) and pumpkin seed polysaccharide (PSPS) using ultrasonic-assisted three phase partitioning (UTPP). The effects of (NH4)2SO4 addition, t-butanol to slurry ratio, pH, sonication power, irradiation time and duty cycle on the extraction yields of PSO, PSP and PSPS were investigated, and the fatty acid profiles and basic physicochemical properties of PSO extracted by the UTPP process were examined. Based on the single-factor tests, the Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were selected for numerical optimization to obtain the best response values. The optimal extraction yields of PSO, PSP and PSPS were 39.79 %, 14.30 % and 1.97 % at an (NH4)2SO4 addition of 30 g/100 mL, a t-butanol to slurry ratio of 1.0:1.0 (mL:mL), pH 5, an ultrasonic power of 118 W, an irradiation time of 20 min, and a duty cycle of 60 %. The fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties of PSO extracted by UTPP were similar to those obtained by other methods. Therefore, UTPP is an efficient technique for the simultaneous extraction and separation of PSO, PSP and PSPS from pumpkin seeds.

A novel Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide IAF (Ile-Ala-Phe) from pumpkin seed proteins: in silico screening, inhibitory activity, and molecular mechanisms

Abstract: Pumpkin seed proteins with desirable nutritional properties have attracted great interest as an innovative source of bioactive peptides with beneficial effects in recent years. The current study aimed to screen novel ACE inhibitory peptides from pumpkin seed proteins by in silico approach and further elucidate the underlying inhibition mechanisms. A novel tripeptide, IAF (Ile-Ala-Phe) with acceptable bioavailability properties exhibited considerable ACE inhibitory ability with an IC50 of 19.87 ± 0.50 μM. Molecular docking study showed that IAF could bound with key residues in the active site of ACE. Further molecular dynamics (MD) simulation suggested that the simulation systems reached equilibrium after 5 ns and that ACE and IAF can form complex in stabilization. Moreover, MD analysis revealed that the hydrogen bonds interactions between IAF and two key residues (His513 and Glu162) of ACE and the chelation between O3 atom of IAF and Zn2+ play more important roles in the stabilization for ACE–IAF complex, which might contribute significantly to the ACE inhibitory activity. Our study indicated that the novel and potential ACE inhibitory peptide IAF from pumpkin seed proteins can be considered as a promising candidate for controlling hypertension.

IgE mediated food allergy in Turkey: different spectrum, similar outcome.

Abstract: Background Food allergies (FAs) potentially differ across cultures. Methods All medical records of 534 children and adolescents with IgE-mediated FA over a 5-year period were reviewed to document the regional characteristics with regard to spectrum and outcome. Results According to their last visit, the most common FAs were tree nuts (TNs) (52.4%), cow`s milk (27.3%), seeds (24.7%), egg white (23.2%) and peanuts (14.9%). Hazelnut and Anacardia nuts were the most common etiologies for TN allergies, whereas lentils and chickpeas for legumes and sesame and pumpkin seed for seeds were most common, respectively. TN allergy was in first place in school-age children (55.3%) and adolescents (57.1%) while in the second place in preschoolers (57.7%) after egg white (60%). Of these 534 children, 59.2% had at least one resolved FA (mainly egg white, cow`s milk) and 21% had no residual FA during the study period. Emerging FAs (fish, shellfish, fruit, TN and seed) after the age of 3 years was reported in 94 children. The prevalence of current asthma (22.3%, 38.2%, 40%) and allergic rhinitis (11.6%, 45.2%, 60%) increased, while current atopic dermatitis (17.5%, 8.6%, 8,6%) decreased in preschoolers, school age children and adolescents, respectively. Conclusions The FA spectrum of Turkish children and adolescents differs from many regions of the world with high rates of TN (hazelnut, Anacardia nuts), seed (sesame, pumpkin seed) and lentils, and low rates of soy, peanut and seafood allergies. However, resolution, emergence and persistence of allergies and comorbidities are similar, which points to the limited role of the environment in the outcome.

Advances in development of green composites based on natural fibers: a review

Abstract: In general, agricultural waste is left to nature or utilized as fuel material in houses. However, such use of agricultural waste negatively influences the environment. To diminish the negative effect of agricultural waste on the environment, it can be employed as natural filler in the fabrication of green composites because of its cellulosic structure. Employing of low-value agricultural waste for the development of composites is important for the reduction of environmental problems of petro-based polymers. Green composites based on agricultural waste can replace petro-based fiber composites due to excellent mechanical properties, low cost, and low density. This work has reported recent advances in the field of natural fibers especially agricultural waste fiber based green composites. To this aim, the properties of some important agricultural wastes (almond shell, arecanut husk, argan nutshell, bambara nutshell, brewer’s spent grain, buckwheat husk, corn husk, cotton burr, hazelnut shell, macadamia shell, oil palm empty fruit bunch, olive pit, orange peel and pulp, pineapple leaf, pistachio shell, potato peel, pumpkin seed husk, rice husk, sunflower husk, walnut shell, wheat bran, and yerba mate) are discussed, and detailed examples for their composites are presented from the scientific literature studies. Fabrication of these green composites and obtained results were presented. From the results, it was concluded that the elastic modulus, flexural modulus, hardness, and tensile strength improved by approximately 1.5–115%, 10.7–46%, 5–8%, and 12–212%, respectively, depending on the type of polymer and natural fibers. However, in some studies, reduction in the tensile strength was reported by about 9–44% with the addition of natural fibers. A drop in elongation at break, flexural strain, flexural strength, and impact strength was observed by approximately 10–98%, 32.8–80%, 0.03–85%, and 68.5–92%, respectively, depending on the type of polymer and natural fibers. According to these results, agricultural waste fiber based composites would find wider acceptance, and added value new applications of agricultural waste fiber based composites would provide cheaper materials for international market.

Modelling and Optimization of Processing Factors of Pumpkin Seeds Oil Extraction under Uniaxial Loading

Abstract: In the present study, a Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the processing factors (force: 100, 150, and 200 kN; speed: 3, 5, and 7 mm/min; and temperature: 40, 60, and 80 °C) for extracting pumpkin seeds oil under uniaxial compression. The design generated 15 experiments including twelve combinations of factors and three replicates at the center point. The responses: oil yield (%), oil expression efficiency (%), and energy (J) were calculated, and the regression models determined were statistically analyzed and validated. The optimum factors combination: 200 kN, 4 mm/min and 80 °C predicted the oil yield of 20.48%, oil expression efficiency of 60.90%, and energy of 848.04 J. The relaxation time of 12 min at the optimum factors increased the oil efficiency to 64.53%. The lower oil point force was determined to be 57.32 kN for estimating the maximum oil output. The tangent curve and generalized Maxwell models adequately (R2 = 0.996) described the compression and relaxation processes of pumpkin seeds oil extraction. Peroxide value increased with temperatures. The study provides detailed information useful for processing different bulk oilseeds under uniaxial loading for optimizing the mechanical oil pressing in large-scale oil production.

Effect of dietary pumpkin ( Cucurbita moschata ) seed meal on layer performance and egg quality characteristics

Abstract: Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the of dietary pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seed meal (PSM) on laying performance, quality, fatty acids, cholesterol, antioxidant compounds and shelf life of eggs. Methods Eighty Tetra SL laying hens, 50-week-old, were randomly divided into two equal groups, having 10 replicates with 4 birds in each. The control (CON) treatment was fed with basal diet, while experimental treatment was fed a diet with 9% pumpkin seed meal (PSM), for a 6 week period. Results Dietary PSM significantly decreased average daily feed intake (p<0.05), with no significant effect on other performance parameters. The PSM, enriched the eggs with polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially α linolenic acid (0.33 vs. 0.21g/100g) and linoleic acid (20.65 vs. 18.37 g/100g), whereas it reduced the amount of arachidonic acid with 3.91% and n-6/n-3 ratio in PSM eggs compared with CON. The inclusion of 9% PSM significantly (p<0.05) diminished the cholesterol concentration in yolk with 11.31% and in egg with 10.38%, in respect to the CON samples. The significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds, determined in PSM eggs, proved to be effective on shelf life of eggs preserved at refrigerator (5°C) and room temperature (21°C) for 28 days, by delaying the lipid oxidation and protein denaturation. This effect was reflected in significantly (p<0.05) higher Haugh Unit in eggs stored 28 days at 21°C and lower albumen pH values for the overall storage time, both at 5°C and 21°C, proving the antioxidant effect of pumpkin. Conclusion Dietary PSM supplementation was significantly effective on average daily feed intake and egg quality by increasing some fatty acids while lowering the cholesterol concentration. Also, PSM proved to be effective improving shelf life of eggs for 28 days storage time.