Many functional ingredients in pumpkin seeds

 In the search for foods with health benefits, there is now a growing interest in ingredients that have been used locally for centuries. One of these ingredients is pumpkin seed oil, which has been used in cooking and traditional medicine, and recent data points to its increasing use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In addition, some sources suggest that pumpkin seeds contain many functional ingredients and are also called potential functional foods. However, there are concerns that the production process of pumpkin seed oil may affect the content of these constituents as well as their biological activity.

This review focuses on summarizing the scientific data exploring the potential of pumpkin seed oil as a functional food ingredient, including its chemical composition, phytochemical composition, bioactivity, safety and production processes and current uses. Summary of The main phytochemicals in pumpkin seed oil with health benefits are polyphenols, phytoestrogens, and fatty acids; carotenoids, squalene, tocopherols, and minerals may also contribute health benefits. A number of in vitro studies have reported that pumpkin seed oil has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Clinical studies have also shown that pumpkin seed oil may be beneficial in treating cardiovascular problems and ailments related to sex hormone imbalance in menopausal women.