A Comparative Study of Proximate Composition and Dpph Radical Scavenging Activity of Cucurbita Species from South-West, Nigeria

Cucurbita species, widely cultivated and consumed globally, are underutilized in Nigeria despite their rich nutritional and health-promoting properties. This study investigated the proximate composition and antioxidant activity of various Cucurbita accessions collected from local markets in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria. The fruits were identified, processed, and analyzed for moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrate content following AOAC standard protocols. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay on methanolic extracts. Results showed considerable variation among the accessions. Protein content ranged from 9.21% to 14.79%, crude fiber from 22.19% to 32.02%, and carbohydrate content from 20.63% to 44.76%, with moisture content consistently below 10%, enhancing storage potential. The DPPH assay revealed strong antioxidant capacity across all samples, with CUC 15 and CUC 16 showing the highest scavenging activity (81.22% and 81.08%, respectively), while CUC 40 displayed the lowest (72.33%). These findings align with existing literature and confirm that methanol is an effective solvent for extracting antioxidant compounds in Cucurbita. The study underscores the potential of Cucurbita gourds as nutrient-rich, functional foods with substantial antioxidant properties. Promoting their consumption and industrial application could enhance food security, public health, and local economic development in Nigeria.