Preliminary Phytochemical Evaluation of Seed Extracts of Cucurbita Maxima Duchense

Cucurbita maxima Duchense (family:Cucurbitaceae) is a trailing annual herb, widely cultivated throughout India and in most warm regions of the world, for used as vegetables as well as medicines. The present study deals with preliminary physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation of seed extract of Cucurbita maxima. The study includes preparation of different extracts by successive solvent extraction for detailed analysis. Different physicochemical parameters such as ash value (total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash value), loss on drying, alcohol soluble and water soluble extractive value, percentage yield of successive solvent extracts and phytochemical evaluation of different extracts of Cucurbita maxima were carried out as per standard recommended physicochemical determinations and authentic phytochemical procedures. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation on different extracts of seed of Cucurbita maxima reveals the presence of proteins, carbohydrates, flavanoids, saponins and tannins