Fatty acids and mineral composition of melon (Cucumis Melo) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seeds

ABSTRACTMelon (Cucumis melo) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seeds from northwest Algeria were examined for their fatty acid and mineral contents for their nutrition potential. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and mineral composition was examined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Linoleic and oleic acids in melon seeds oil were 60.1% and 25.3% and in pumpkin seeds they were 50.33% and 30.71%, respectively. Minerals present were potassium, magnesium, and calcium (in mg 100 g−1) at 509.80, 101.71, and 55.39 in melon seeds; and 394.8, 246.12, and 7.14, respectively, in pumpkin seeds.