Evaluation of the Nutritional and Physiological Impact of Oil Extracted from the Seeds of <i>Citrullus Lanatus</i> (Cucurbitaceae) in the Wistar Rats

<i>Citrullus lanatus </i>(Cucurbitaceae) seed oil, pumpkin seeds, is classified among the linoleic and linolenic oils. This work aims to promote dietary diversification through the consumption of local food products. The evaluation of the nutritional and physiological impact of the oil was therefore carried out. To do this, the study of nutritional parameters, the dosage of serum metabolites and the biometry of the nutritional regulatory organs are carried out in rats. The nutritional parameters reveal that this oil leads to regular growth during the 21 days of experimentation. Then, associated with carbohydrates, this oil is able to ensure satisfactory energy coverage allowing an optimum concentration of proteins in the formulated food, thus improving its efficiency (6.97 ± 0.47 g; 0.22 ± 0.02; 0.52 ± 0.01; respectively the dry matter ingested, the food efficiency coefficient and the lipid efficiency coefficient). Finally, its consumption does not cause any disturbance of metabolic activity (5.10 ± 0.02 g/L; 48.7 ± 0.47 mg/L; 5.6 ± 0.32 g/L; 0.95 ± 0.34 g/L; 0.98 ± 0.02 g/L; respectively for uremia, creatinine, blood sugar, triglyceride content, total cholesterol content) nor any hypertrophy of the organs regulating nutrition. Ultimately, <i>Citrullus Lanatus</i> oil (Cucurbitaceae) is a healthy oil, which, like Sunflower oil, could be recommended in the diet of populations in Côte d'Ivoire.