Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil – cosmetic, food and medical raw material

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil, as a non-drying oil, is a raw material used in cosmetics, foodand medical industries due to its biological and nutritional properties. It is a rich source of phytosterols,protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. This oil exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant and antiinflammatoryproperties. The oil is used by the cosmetics industry in anti-aging, protective and hair careproducts due to its bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, phytosterols and phenolic acids, which actas antioxidants. It also has a sunscreen effect, absorbing about 20% of harmful UVB rays.