Determination of fatty acids composition by GC-MS and physicochemical parameters of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oil cultivated in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT. Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oil was extracted using petroleum ether and analyzed for fatty acid compositions and physicochemical parameters of the oil. The seeds were found to contain 43.6% (%w/w) oil. Linoleic (50.7%), oleic (18.8%), palmitic (17.9%) and stearic (12.4%) were found as the primary fatty acids in pumpkin seed oil. Physicochemical parameters of pumpkin seed oil were found to be acid value (1.32 mg KOH/g oil), saponification value (191 mg KOH/g oil), iodine value (114 g I2/100 g), peroxide value (3.6 meq/kg), specific gravity (0.91 g/mL), refractive index (1.47) and viscosity (24.7). According to the study's findings, 50% of the oil contains the essential fatty acid omega-6 (linoleic acid). The high concentration of essential linoleic acid in pumpkin seed oil implies that it is a nutrient-dense food. The physicochemical study of the pumpkin seed oil samples also showed that they were suitable as industrial ingredients for making soap, cosmetics, medications, and food additives, among other things.   KEY WORDS: Pumpkin seed oil, Fatty acids, Oil content, Physicochemical parameters, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Ethiopia   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(3), 565-577.                                                             DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i3.3