Nutritional Value of <i>Citrullus lanatus</i> (Cucurbitaceae) Seed Oil, Consumed in Côte D'ivoire

Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) seed oil, pumpkin seeds reveal a richness in monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. This present work aims to promote dietary diversification through the consumption of local food products. The evaluation of the nutritional quality of the oil extracted from the seeds of Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) was therefore carried out. The determination of the physicochemical composition and the fatty acid profile of Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) oil. The study of the physicochemical composition reveals that Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) oil is composed of 50.02 ± 0.6 % fat. The acid value is 8.2 ± 0.21 mg NaOH/g and the iodine value is 25.38 ± 3.02 mL/g, (P ≤ 0.05). The peroxide and saponification values are 23 ± 0.13 and 203.3 ± 0.68 mg KOH/g of oil, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Fatty acid characterization reveals that Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) oil is composed of 26.75% saturated fatty acids and 73.5 % unsaturated fatty acids (P ≤ 0.05). Among the saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has a value of 17.27 %. Stearic acid accounts for 6.53 %, and arachidonic acid for 2.70 % (P ≤ 0.05). Among the unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid is the most abundant (44.23 %), followed by linolenic acid (22.23 %), and finally oleic acid (4.76 %) (P ≤ 0.05). Ultimately, Citrullus Lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) is a high-quality oil and could be recommended for use in the diets of populations in Côte d'Ivoire.