Fatty acid composition of seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita) varieties cultivated mechanized in the conditions of the Nonchernozem zone of the Russian Federation

Abstract One of the most important factors for maintaining human health is a good nutrition of macro and micronutrients. Insufficient nutrition of essential nutrients leads to various disorders of the body. In recent years, more and more malnutrition has been observed, especially a deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Of great interest is pumpkin seed oil, which is rich in linoleic acid. Linoleic acid belongs to the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-6 family, which is not formed in the body and must be constantly supplied with food. Cultivation of pumpkin in the temperate zone is very important. This will provide the population with vegetable oil with high biological efficiency due to the content of linoleic acid. The fatty acid composition of pumpkin seeds is influenced by many factors: climatic data, varieties, agricultural practices, etc. Mechanized industrial crops of pumpkin are located mainly in the southern regions, due to the fact that this crop is thermophilic. In recent years, there has been a change in climate, in the temperate zone, the growing season has increased due to the earlier onset of spring and later autumn, the sum of active temperatures, etc. There is a certain tendency to increase the area occupied by this crop in the temperate zone. The correct selection of varieties and variety samples for mechanized cultivation becomes an urgent task. The experiments were carried out in the Moscow region. 16 varieties and variety samples were studied according to the standard method. A high oil content in the studied samples was revealed - The studied varieties and variety samples have a high oil content: from 33.6 to 54.6%. When studying the fatty acid composition, the highest content is represented by the essential polyunsaturated fatty linoleic acid up to 68.55% - in the Pivdenny variety.