Table 6.
Comparison of the bioactive compounds content between two pumpkin species.
| Compound | Cucurbita Pepo | Cucurbita Moschata | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carotenoids | Zeaxanthin | 5.69 ± 4.38 | 2.64 ± 2.33 | p < 0.05 |
| Lutein | 13.53 ± 5.49 | 6.87 ± 3.38 | p < 0.001 | |
| β-carotene | 4.68 ± 2.27 | 2.92 ± 1.44 | p < 0.01 | |
| Retinol equivalent | 2.38 ± 0.74 | 1.28 ± 0.56 | p < 0.05 | |
| Phenolic acids | Gallic acid | 11.90 ± 5.24 | 11.50 ± 7.07 | NS. |
| Protocatechuic acid | 15.96 ± 11.35 | 24.96 ± 15.7 | p < 0.05 | |
| 4-Hydroxy-benzoic acid | 11.74 ± 6.01 | 15.76 ± 7.79 | NS. | |
| Vanillic acid | 4.20 ± 1.94 | 4.62 ± 2.73 | NS. | |
| Chlorogenic acid | 5.60 ± 1.55 | 4.97 ± 2.03 | NS. | |
| Caffeic acid | 72.06 ± 31.15 | 32.18 ± 24.63 | p < 0.001 | |
| P-coumaric acid | 0.36 ± 0.47 | 1.11 ± 1.12 | p < 0.01 | |
| Ferulic acid | 16.60 ± 14.99 | 13.57 ± 8.57 | NS. | |
| Sinapic acid | 6.32 ±8.90 | 13.84 ± 10.92 | p < 0.05 | |
| Tocopherols | α-tocopherol | 3.88 ± 1.77 | 3.26 ± 1.49 | NS. |
| γ-tocopherol | 3.28 ± 2.27 | 4.58 ± 3.65 | NS. | |
| δ-tocopherol | n.d. | n.d. | - | |
| β-tocopherol | n.d. | n.d. | - | |
| α-tocopherol equivalent | 4.20 ± 1.88 | 3.72 ± 1.77 | NS. | |
| Flavonols | Rutin | 12.69 ± 8.30 | 15.56 ± 15.57 | NS. |
| Kaempferol | 9.79 ± 13.83 | 9.44 ± 9.71 | NS. | |
| Isoquercetin | 2.06 ± 1.98 | 0.99 ± 1.86 | NS. | |
| Astragalin | 5.06 ± 6.07 | 7.56 ± 9.10 | NS. | |
| Myricetin | 2.72 ± 2.94 | 1.39 ± 1.74 | NS. | |
| Quercetin | 3.29 ± 3.43 | 1.07 ± 1.74 | p < 0.05 | |
| Mineral compounds | Potassium (K) | 6161.31 ± 794.95 | 5685.87 ± 1219.19 | NS. |
| Calcium (Ca) | 252.89 ± 106.18 | 197.17 ± 49.86 | p < 0.05 | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 114.69 ± 25.99 | 105.34 ± 21.59 | NS. | |
| Sodium (Na) | 281.61 ± 44.43 | 296.59 ± 40.73 | NS. | |
| Iron (Fe) | 1.84 ± 0.58 | 1.94 ± 0.47 | NS. | |
| Zinc (Zn) | 1.03 ± 0.23 | 0.96 ± 0.12 | NS. | |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.33 ± 0.12 | 0.39 ± 0.11 | NS. | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.53 ± 0.18 | 0.44 ± 0.11 | NS. | |
| Vitamins | Vitamin C | 64.95 ± 9.15 | 66.65 ± 13.32 | NS. |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.35 ± 0.18 | 0.37 ± 0.14 | NS. | |
| Folates | 34.52 ± 12.79 | 49.05 ± 12.30 | p < 0.001 |
p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001; determination of statistically significant differences between the variables tested; NS.: not significant; n.d.: not detected; dm: dry mass; the results are expressed as the mean values ± standard deviation of the triplicate samples; the results are expressed in the following units: carotenoids, phenolic acids, tocopherols, flavonols, mineral compounds (mg/100 g dm); vitamins: C and B1 (mg/100 g dm), folates (µg/100 g dm).