Bioactive Compounds Content and Antioxidant Activity of Pumpkin Fruits Cultivated in Yemen

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of pumpkin fruits cultivated in Yemen. Fresh Pumpkin samples were collected from four governorates of the country, namely, Sana’a, Ibb, Taiz, and Dhamar. The samples were analysed for β-carotene, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, total phenol, and DPPH IC50 activity of fresh pumpkin. The results showed that the mean values were ranged between (1.93 ±0.97 to 2.51 ±0.78 mg/100 g), (162.12 ±81.48 to 210.84 ±65.52 µg RAE/100 g), (11.58 ± 3.23 to 15.12 ± 2.53 mg/100g), (2.57 ± 0.67 to 3.59 ± 0.97 mg GAE/100 g) and (0.88 ±0.48 to 3.28 ±0.39 mg/ml) for β-carotene, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, total phenol and DPPH IC50 activity respectively. Pumpkin samples from Taiz governorate (TP) had the highest β-carotene, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and DPPH IC50 scavenging activity; whereas, the pumpkin samples from Dhamar governorate (DP) had the highest total phenolic content. These findings suggest that Yemeni pumpkin, particularly from the Taiz region, is a valuable source of natural antioxidants and could be promoted as a functional food. Further studies are recommended to comprehensively profile the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in different pumpkin parts and well-defined varieties across various Yemeni regions and seasons.