Pumpkin: Horticultural Importance and Its Roles in Various Forms; a Review

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir) is one of the important among the vegetable crops and native of Mexico and extensively cultivated in India, Africa, Latin America, Southern Asia and the United States. Since past times it is in the diet of agronomic and some metropolitan areas throughout the world while today pumpkin is more analyzed crop mid-October horticulture, commercial, industrialization, and research. There are few of scientific studies on its physiological, chemical, physicochemical, nutritional, functional and technological characteristics. There is some scientific literature on pumpkin has been highlighting its importance as a source of α and β-carotene, lutein, vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), dietary fibers, minerals etc and these nutritional and bioactive components are very important for providing benefits to human health. Many of the researchers agree to indicate that more of the scientific investigations are needed to achieve greater and better utilization of this important pumpkin crop. This review will focus on nutritional, minerals, physical, phytochemical, medicinal, industrial and some technological approaches of the pumpkin. Keywords: Diet; ethnomedicine; horticulture; nutrition; lphytochemical; pumpkin