Recherche des Acides Gras Polyinsaturés dans les Pépins de Melon et de courge.

Abstract

This work is devoted to a survey of the chemical content of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the seeds of two Cucurbitaceae grown in Algeria, namely melon (Cucumis melo L. Inodorus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. butternut). The oil was extracted by soxhlet using hexane and by supercritical CO2 technology operating under a set of pressures and temperatures. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and anti-cholinesterase activities were carried out.The results showed that the melon and pumpkin seeds were rich in lipids (respectively 34% and 37%) and major fatty acids were palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid with the respective percentages of 5,95%; 2,87%; 21,95 and 69,24% in melon seeds oil and 14,74%, 4,22%, 30.71% and 50,33% in pumpkin counterpart (extraction with hexane using the soxhlet; extraction by supercritical CO2 technology gave same results as compared to soxhlet as regards oils. The results of the biological activity revealed a low percentage inhibition for the different extracts.The oil content gave an interesting nutritional profile that might be taken advantage of.