Nutritional profiles of Persea Americana and Telfairia occidentalis seeds: potential applications in food formulations

Underutilized plant seeds represent a valuable but often overlooked resource for improving food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and expanding the availability of nutrient-dense ingredients. Avocado (Persea americana) and fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seeds have gained attention due to their health benefits and nutritional advantages. P. americana seeds are not agro-waste; rather, they are an excellent supplier of bioactive chemicals that may find use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. T. occidentalis seeds mostly re-cultivated for its consumable leaves are rich in antioxidants and other essential nutrients, serving functional roles and demonstrating diverse health-enhancing properties. This review investigates the nutritional profile of two underexploited seeds – P. americana seeds and T. occidentalis seeds – with emphasis on their nutritional composition, health benefits and approaches to emphasize their use as functional food components and their prospective incorporation into dietary supplements. To find pertinent research on the nutritional makeup of P. americana and T. occidentalis seeds, an organized search for literature was carried out across several web-based databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Search Engine, Springer Link, and Web of Science). The seeds of P. americana and T. occidentalis exhibit a comparable nutritional profile which include macronutrient, mineral content, and phytochemical constituents that together provide their therapeutic benefits including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, and enhancing fertility. Both seeds can be processed and effectively integrated into various food products, thereby improving their functional attributes. The review highlights the underutilized nutritional and functional potential of these seeds, providing scientific support for their incorporation into food formulations and value-added product development. Valorizing T. occidentalis and P. americana seeds could therefore contribute to waste reduction, economic diversification, and improved dietary quality, especially in regions where these crops are abundant.