A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry

Bioactive compounds have been shown to promote healthy human development and protect against certain diseases including some cancers. Tropical pumpkins bred for consumption, such as calabaza (Cucurbita moschata), possess these compounds, though concentrations vary considerably between varieties. Bio...

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Main Authors: Megan E. Kinsman, Mary T. Serviss, Geoffrey Meru, Carlene A. Chase, Steven A. Sargent, Amarat Simonne, Andrew J. MacIntosh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1480964/full
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author Megan E. Kinsman
Mary T. Serviss
Geoffrey Meru
Carlene A. Chase
Steven A. Sargent
Amarat Simonne
Andrew J. MacIntosh
author_facet Megan E. Kinsman
Mary T. Serviss
Geoffrey Meru
Carlene A. Chase
Steven A. Sargent
Amarat Simonne
Andrew J. MacIntosh
author_sort Megan E. Kinsman
collection DOAJ
description Bioactive compounds have been shown to promote healthy human development and protect against certain diseases including some cancers. Tropical pumpkins bred for consumption, such as calabaza (Cucurbita moschata), possess these compounds, though concentrations vary considerably between varieties. Bioactive compound quantification methods can be expensive, complex, and generate considerable hazardous waste. A predictive tool utilizing the relationship between extrinsic properties and tristimulus colorimetry values of calabaza would allow for significantly higher throughput with lower requirements for equipment, training, and laboratory consumables. Therefore, this study examined correlations between flesh color and bioactive compound quantities of several calabaza germplasm lines to assess the utility of a sustainable and portable predictive tool. CIEL* a* b* values of pumpkin flesh were assessed using a colorimeter and compared to bioactive compound concentrations determined analytically. Redness was found to correlate with increased ascorbic acid and total soluble solids content. Yellowness correlated with β-carotene equivalent carotenoids and ascorbic acid content. These results suggest that colorimetry may be a viable pre-screening technique for quantifying bioactive compounds in C. moschata.
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series Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
spelling doaj-art-e1bd141718434a6aad0cca4cc7d6b6452024-11-13T16:08:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2024-11-01810.3389/fsufs.2024.14809641480964A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetryMegan E. Kinsman0Mary T. Serviss1Geoffrey Meru2Carlene A. Chase3Steven A. Sargent4Amarat Simonne5Andrew J. MacIntosh6Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesHorticultural Sciences Department, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, United StatesHorticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesHorticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesBioactive compounds have been shown to promote healthy human development and protect against certain diseases including some cancers. Tropical pumpkins bred for consumption, such as calabaza (Cucurbita moschata), possess these compounds, though concentrations vary considerably between varieties. Bioactive compound quantification methods can be expensive, complex, and generate considerable hazardous waste. A predictive tool utilizing the relationship between extrinsic properties and tristimulus colorimetry values of calabaza would allow for significantly higher throughput with lower requirements for equipment, training, and laboratory consumables. Therefore, this study examined correlations between flesh color and bioactive compound quantities of several calabaza germplasm lines to assess the utility of a sustainable and portable predictive tool. CIEL* a* b* values of pumpkin flesh were assessed using a colorimeter and compared to bioactive compound concentrations determined analytically. Redness was found to correlate with increased ascorbic acid and total soluble solids content. Yellowness correlated with β-carotene equivalent carotenoids and ascorbic acid content. These results suggest that colorimetry may be a viable pre-screening technique for quantifying bioactive compounds in C. moschata.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1480964/fullCucurbita moschatatropical pumpkincolorimetrybioactive compoundsβ-carotenegreen chemistry
spellingShingle Megan E. Kinsman
Mary T. Serviss
Geoffrey Meru
Carlene A. Chase
Steven A. Sargent
Amarat Simonne
Andrew J. MacIntosh
A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Cucurbita moschata
tropical pumpkin
colorimetry
bioactive compounds
β-carotene
green chemistry
title A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
title_full A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
title_fullStr A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
title_full_unstemmed A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
title_short A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
title_sort greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin cucurbita moschata using colorimetry
topic Cucurbita moschata
tropical pumpkin
colorimetry
bioactive compounds
β-carotene
green chemistry
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1480964/full
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