Search Results (20)

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is a globally significant vegetable crop known for its high nutritional value and remarkable phenotypic diversity. Yet, the surge in new cultivar releases has overwhelmed traditional morphological descriptors, creating critical gaps in variety purity control and breeders’ rights enforcement. Despite the established utility of SNP markers as the gold standard for genetic analysis, a dedicated high-resolution molecular database for modern pumpkin cultivars remains unavailable. To address this gap, we conducted whole-genome resequencing (WGS) on 94 representative pumpkin cultivars (spanning C. moschata, C. maxima, and C. pepo). Clean reads were mapped to the Cucurbita maxima reference genome. We employed a stringent pipeline to identify genomic variants and utilized STRUCTURE software, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Neighbor-Joining (NJ) trees to evaluate population stratification. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay and DNA fingerprinting barcodes were also developed. A total of 8,873,150 high-quality variants were identified, including 7,345,007 SNPs and 1,528,143 InDels, with an average SNP density of 21,281.50 SNPs/Mb. Population analysis consistently categorized the 94 cultivars into two primary subpopulations (G1 and G2). The first two PCs accounted for 74.06% of the total genetic variance. Further analysis revealed that G1 possessed a more complex genetic architecture and slower LD decay compared to G2, suggesting distinct selection histories. Finally, we screened for highly informative biallelic SNPs to construct a DNA fingerprinting database, enabling precise sample discrimination through unique chromatic barcodes. This study fills a critical gap in pumpkin genomics by establishing a high-density SNP database and a robust fingerprinting system. These resources provide a definitive tool for variety certification, seed purity testing, and the advancement of molecular-assisted breeding in pumpkin. Full article

Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of Cucurbita species is essential for effective germplasm conservation and the development of improved cultivars. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity, population structure, and genetic relationships among accessions of C. pepo, C. moschata and C. maxima and their interspecific hybrids (Tetsukabuto hybrid C. maxima × C. moschata). A total of 92 accessions were analyzed using 22 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers selected from previous studies due to their high polymorphic information content (PIC). Genetic diversity parameters were estimated, and population structure was inferred using Bayesian clustering, complemented by dendrogram and principal component analysis (PCA). All markers were successfully amplified in C. pepo, C. moschata, C. maxima, and the hybrids, with polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranging from 0.191 (CMTm232) to 0.448 (CMTm48) and average of 0.274. The AMOVA analysis showed that 50% of the total variation was attributed to differences both within and among groups. PCA revealed clear genetic differentiation among the analyzed species, with C. maxima and hybrid accessions clustering closely and exhibiting lower genetic dissimilarity. In contrast, C. pepo displayed greater genetic divergence, supporting its distinct evolutionary trajectory. According STRUCTURE analysis the accessions can be divided into four subpopulations, which are closely related to the species. PCA and dendrogram showed similar results for genetic structure of Cucurbita germplasm; C. maxima and hybrid accessions clustering closely and C. pepo as a distinct group. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs, germplasm management, and conservation strategies aimed at preserving genetic diversity and exploiting interspecific variation. Full article

Traditional markets play an important role in the exchange of plant resources and the preservation of traditional food knowledge. This study documents the diversity of food plants traded in Renmin Market, located in Youjiang District, Baise City, Guangxi, China, and evaluates their cultural importance using the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI). Field surveys were conducted through market observations and interviews with vendors and local informants. All edible plant species were recorded, including their scientific names, vernacular names, used parts, and modes of consumption. A total of 104 food plant taxa were documented, representing a wide range of plant families and growth forms. The recorded plants were used in four main utilization categories: vegetables, spices, fruits, and beverages. Frequently used plant parts included fruits, leaves, shoots, and underground organs such as roots, rhizomes, and tubers. The CFSI values showed considerable variation in cultural importance among species, ranging from 21.6 to 1764. The highest CFSI values were recorded for Cucurbita pepo, Allium cepa, Cucurbita maxima, and Houttuynia cordata, reflecting their frequent consumption and versatility in local cuisine. Comparative analysis with previous studies in Baise City indicated that 38 species were shared among three markets, while 30 species were recorded exclusively in Renmin Market. These findings highlight the diversity of food plants available in local markets and their importance in maintaining regional culinary traditions and plant-based dietary diversity. Full article

Edible pumpkin flowers represent a promising but still underutilized source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Despite their traditional culinary use in various regions of the world, comprehensive studies comparing the nutritional and chemical composition of flowers from different Cucurbita species are limited. This study conducted a detailed chemical analysis of flowers from five pumpkin species: Cucurbita maxima (giant pumpkin), C. pepo (summer squash), C. moschata (butternut squash), C. ficifolia (fig-leaf gourd), and C. argyrosperma (cushaw squash). The analyses included the determination of basic nutritional components, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acid profiles using standard analytical methods (AOAC, ISO, and HPLC). Significant interspecific differences were observed. The flowers of butternut squash exhibited the highest protein and fat contents, while the flowers of cushaw squash contained the largest amounts of dietary fiber and total sugars. Flowers of giant pumpkin were distinguished by their elevated contents of vitamin C and β-carotene. Amino acid analysis revealed a rich protein profile, particularly in cushaw squash, characterized by high lysine and cysteine levels, whereas fig-leaf gourd contained the greatest amounts of leucine and isoleucine. The fatty acid composition was dominated by oleic, stearic, and myristic acids, while a considerable proportion of linoleic acid (PUFA) indicated potential health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory effects. Mineral analysis showed that giant pumpkin was richest in potassium, summer squash in zinc, and butternut squash in calcium and sodium. The findings confirm that pumpkin flowers are a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Their composition highlights their potential as functional food ingredients and as raw materials for use in the dietary, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Further studies on bioavailability and antioxidant capacity are recommended to better define their nutritional and functional value. Full article

The contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids were determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, alongside antioxidant activity: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays). Additionally, the levels of antinutritional compounds (tannins, phytates, oxalates, alkaloids, and saponins) were assessed in the flowers of five pumpkin species: giant pumpkin, summer squash, butternut squash, fig-leaf gourd, and cushaw squash (Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, C. ficifolia, and C. argyrosperma). The results revealed significant interspecific variation in both bioactive and antinutritional compounds. Giant pumpkin flowers exhibited the highest content of polyphenols and phenolic acids, fig-leaf gourd flowers were the richest in carotenoids, whereas butternut squash flowers had the highest anthocyanin levels. The strongest antioxidant activity was observed in giant pumpkin flowers, which can be attributed to their high phenolic and flavonoid content. Despite the presence of moderate amounts of antinutritional compounds, pumpkin flowers can be considered a valuable edible raw material with nutraceutical potential. Full article

Cucurbita L. is a valuable gourd vegetable crop, with high nutritional and economic value. However, the lack of a molecular identification system and population genetic information has impeded the development of proper conservation strategies and marker-assisted genetic breeding for Cucurbita varieties. In this study, we developed a set of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for distinguishing the main cultivated Cucurbita cultivars in China and providing technical support for domestic variety preservation, registration, and intellectual property protection. A total of 152 allelic variations and 308 genotypes were identified from 306 Cucurbita cultivars by using 24 SSR markers. Using 24 core markers, we successfully distinguished 300 varieties from 306 Cucurbita varieties, and the identification rate reached 98.36%. The PIC values of the 24 core markers ranged from 0.281 to 0.749, and the average value was 0.643, which was considered high genetic diversity. Based on the results of cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and population genetic structure analysis using 24 pairs of core primers for 306 Cucurbita varieties, the results were basically consistent, all categorized into three genetic clusters, corresponding to the three species: C. moschata, C. pepo, and C. maxima. These results showed a certain correlation with phenotypic traits. DNA fingerprints were constructed for the 306 Cucurbita cultivars based on the core markers. Our research results provide a new tool for population genetic analysis, variety identification, and protection in Cucurbita cultivars with high efficiency, accuracy, and lower costs compared to conventional methods. Full article

By-products from the fruit and vegetable processing industry represent a substantial source of bioactive compounds, which can be extracted and utilized in the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals, thereby contributing to sustainable nutrition and waste valorization. Pumpkin peels are particularly abundant in bioactive components and contain significant fiber, protein, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This study determined the chemical composition, the content of water- and fat-soluble vitamins, and the antioxidant activity of peels from five pumpkin species: Cucurbita pepo ‘Kamo Kamo’, C. maxima ‘Bambino’, C. moschata ‘Butternut’, C. argyrosperma ‘Chinese Alphabet’, and C. ficifolia ‘Chilacayote Squash’. The highest moisture content was observed in the peels of C. ficifolia (89.2 mg 100 g⁻¹ WW). In contrast, the highest amounts of protein (14.82 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW), fat (1.59 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW), and ash (7.46 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW) were recorded in C. maxima peels. The peels of C. moschata contained the highest levels of total sugars (9.17 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW), reducing sugars (8.48 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW), and fiber (19.04 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW). The peels of all analyzed pumpkin species were rich in amino acids and water- and fat-soluble vitamins. The highest levels of polyphenols and flavonoids and the most potent antioxidant properties (DPPH and FRAP) were found in the extract from C. argyrosperma peels. The findings of this study highlight the potential of pumpkin peels as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. Full article

Squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV) belongs to the species Begomovirus cucurbitachinaense in the genus Begomovirus and can infect some Cucurbitaceae crops except for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). In this study, watermelon plants showing symptoms typical to begomovirus infection in field were observed in Zhejiang Province of China, and SLCCNV presence was identified through PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The pairwise sequence identity of the DNA-A genome shows that SLCCNV watermelon isolate belongs to the SLCCNV/CN strain and shares 96% nucleotide identity with the previously sequenced SLCCNV/CN. An infectious clone of SLCCNV watermelon isolate was constructed using the tandem repeat fragment method. Through agrobacterium-mediated inoculation, the clone could induce systemic infection with typical symptoms in watermelon, melon (Cucumis melo), squash (Cucurbita pepo), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), wax gourd (Benicasa hispida), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and N. benthamiana. It was further demonstrated that the progeny virions derived from the cloned watermelon isolate could be transmitted by whitefly rather than the sap. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural infection of SLCCNV on watermelon in China, and the first complete report on the molecular characteristics and pathogenicity of watermelon-infecting SLCCNV in the world. Full article

The oxidative stability of nutritive and bioactive lipids is essential for their functionality. This study evaluated the potential of lipid fractions from pumpkin seeds obtained from eleven high-performing cultivars of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, C. pepo L., and C. moschata Duchesne cultivated in Poland, aiming to evaluate their stability for nutraceutical applications. This study investigated the intrinsic relationship between chemical composition and oxidative stability to identify cultivars with promising functional potential and commercial value. The fatty acid, sterol, and lipid antioxidant profiles were characterized using gas chromatography (GC), GC–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), respectively. Antiradical activity was assessed via the DPPH assay, and oxidative stability was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The oils exhibited high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (59.5–68.6%), with n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios ranging from 66.5 to 211.6. The lipid extracts contained up to 97.1% Δ⁷-sterols, while key antioxidants included squalene (616.6–3092.0 mg/kg) and γ-tocopherol (54.1–423.6 mg/kg). Notably, the C. pepo cultivar ‘Moonshine’ was the least abundant in these bioactive compounds. The carotenoid content ranged from 5.7 to 19.4 mg/kg across the extracts. Among the studied cultivars, ‘Show Winner’ and ‘Pink Jumbo Banana’ (C. maxima) stood out as promising candidates for nutraceutical applications due to their elevated levels of tocopherols, carotenoids, and squalene. A moderate n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio (100–170), coupled with balanced levels of γ-tocopherol and squalene, was found to significantly enhance the oxidative stability of pumpkin seed lipids. These lipid fractions also show potential as stabilizing additives for oils rich in α-linolenic acid but deficient in natural antioxidants. Full article

The heavy-metal-associated (HMA) proteins are a class of P_B1-type ATPases related to the intracellular transport and detoxification of metals. However, due to a lack of information regarding the HMA gene family in the Cucurbitaceae family, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the HMA family was performed in ten Cucurbitaceae species: Citrullus amarus, Citrullus colocynthis, Citrullus lanatus, Citrullus mucosospermus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, and Legenaria siceraria. We identified 103 Cucurbit HMA proteins with various members, ranging from 8 (Legenaria siceraria) to 14 (Cucurbita pepo) across species. The phylogenetic and structural analysis confirmed that the Cucurbitaceae HMA protein family could be further classified into two major clades: Zn/Co/Cd/Pb and Cu/Ag. The GO-annotation-based subcellular localization analysis predicted that all HMA gene family members were localized on membranes. Moreover, the analysis of conserved motifs and gene structure (intron/exon) revealed the functional divergence between clades. The interspecies microsynteny analysis demonstrated that maximum orthologous genes were found between species of the Citrullus genera. Finally, nine candidate HMA genes were selected, and their expression analysis was carried out via qRT-PCR in root, leaf, flower, and fruit tissues of C. pepo under arsenic stress. The expression pattern of the CpeHMA genes showed a distinct pattern of expression in root and shoot tissues, with a remarkable expression of CpeHMA6 and CpeHMA3 genes from the Cu/Ag clade. Overall, this study provides insights into the functional analysis of the HMA gene family in Cucurbitaceae species and lays down the basic knowledge to explore the role and mechanism of the HMA gene family to cope with arsenic stress conditions. Full article

Antioxidant properties and phenolic acid content in the pulp of five pumpkin species were evaluated. The following species cultivated in Poland were included: Cucurbita maxima ‘Bambino’, Cucurbita pepo ‘Kamo Kamo’, Cucurbita moschata ‘Butternut’, Cucurbita ficifolia ‘Chilacayote Squash’, and Cucurbita argyrosperma ‘Chinese Alphabet’. The content of polyphenolic compounds was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with HPLC, while the total content of phenols and flavonoids and antioxidant properties were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Ten phenolic compounds (protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, kaempferol) were identified. Phenolic acids were the most abundant compounds; the amount of syringic acid was found to be the highest, ranging from 0.44 (C. ficifolia) to 6.61 mg∙100 g⁻¹ FW (C. moschata). Moreover, two flavonoids were detected: catechin and kaempferol. They were found at their highest level of content in C. moschata pulp (catechins: 0.31 mg∙100 g⁻¹ FW; kaempferol: 0.06 mg∙100 g⁻¹ FW), with the lowest amount detected in C. ficifolia (catechins: 0.15 mg∙100 g⁻¹ FW; kaempferol below the limit of detection). Analysis of antioxidant potential showed significant differences depending on the species and the test used. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. maxima was 1.03 times higher than C. ficiofilia pulp and 11.60 times higher than C. pepo. In the case of the FRAP assay, the multiplicity of FRAP radical activity in C. maxima pulp was 4.65 times higher than C. Pepo pulp and only 1.08 times higher compared to C. ficifolia pulp. The study findings show the high health-promoting value of pumpkin pulp; however, the content of phenolic acids and antioxidant properties are species dependent. Full article

Screening and identification of tolerant genotypes using osmotic materials under in vitro culture could be rapid, easy, and even accurate. In this research, three Iranian landraces of Cucurbita sp. included Tanbal Ajili (Cucurbita maxima Duch.), Ajili Razan (Cucurbita pepo L.), and Balghabakhi (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) seeds were cultured in ¼ MS medium. After germination, plantlets were transferred to MS media containing mannitol and PEG 6000. Mannitol and PEG at three concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 M and 0.009, 0.012, and 0.015 M, respectively, were added into the MS medium, while the MS medium without any adding was used as control. Our findings revealed that osmotic treatments significantly increased shoot and root dry weight (DW), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline content, but significantly reduced coleoptile length, shoot and root fresh weight, and photosynthesis pigments content. Protein content, phenols, and flavonoids content, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) activity, reduced ascorbate (AsA), reduced ascorbate/dehydroascorbic acid (AsA/DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) were significantly increased at moderate osmotic stress induced by mannitol and PEG. In contrast, the previous physiological parameters were significantly reduced at higher water deficit conditions. With respect to most attributes and concentrations, mannitol simulated osmotic stress better than PEG. Our results revealed that applying PEG and mannitol under in vitro conditions could be an efficient way to evaluate and screen cucurbit genotypes for future breeding programs. Full article

Pumpkin flowers, in their composition, contain many bioactive ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the human body. The aim of the research was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of flowers of various species and varieties of pumpkins: Amazonka, Ambar, Atlantic Giant, Bambino (Cucurbita maxima L.), Butternut, Muscade de Provence, Rouge vif d’Etampes (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), and Miranda (Cucurbia pepo L.). The flowers came from flowering pumpkin shoots, grown in Poland (Krakow). The total polyphenols, carotenoids, total sugar contents, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid composition were determined. The content of dry matter, protein, ash, fat, and selected minerals were also determined. Pumpkin flowers of the Atlantic Giant variety were characterized by the highest content of total polyphenols and sugars and antioxidant activity. They also showed the highest percentage of n-myristic acid (C14:0) and docosanoic acid (C22:0). The energy value of fresh pumpkin flowers, of all varieties, was low and averaged 22 kcal/100 g. Fresh pumpkin flowers are a significant source of iron, covering 60–80% of the EAR standard for adults (Atlantic Giant and Bambino varieties). Full article

In Mexico, Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious health problem, and although the current pharmacological treatments for DM such as insulin and oral hypoglycemics are available, the Mexican population continues to use medicinal plants in the treatment of DM. The antidiabetic properties of the plant species that belong to the Cucurbitaceae family has already been recognized worldwide. Since Mexico is one of the most important centers of diversity of Cucurbitaceae, the present work contributes to the review of the most used species of Cucurbitaceae in the treatment of DM in Mexico. The reviewed species (Cucurbita ficifolia, C. maxima, C. moschata, C. pepo, Ibervillea sonorae, Sechium edule, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, and C. sativus) revealed that the antidiabetic effects exerted are effective in a number of mechanisms involved in the complex pathogenesis of DM: hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, protective effects on diverse organs and cells, as well as in the control of dyslipidemias; furthermore, the select species of the Cucurbitaceae family could also be essential components of diets for the control of DM in patients with the disease. Thus, the Cucurbitaceae species selected in the present work represent a source of antidiabetic agents that perhaps establish the bases for novel clinical treatments. Full article

Loche is an ancient landrace of squash from Northern Peru, notable for its vegetative reproduction and lack of seeds in fruits. To date, very little is known about its genetics. Here, we used 21 simple sequence repeats to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of a collection of 100 samples of loche from three localities in Peru, and 10 samples of related species, C. pepo and C. maxima (110 accessions in total). A total 85 bands were manually scored, obtaining an average of 4.05 alleles per locus. The UPGMA clustering method and principal coordinate analysis showed a clear identification between the three species of Cucurbita. Population structure analysis clustered the 110 accessions into the following five populations: (i) three of loche, (ii) one of C. pepo, and (iii) one of C. maxima. Genetic diversity estimation was conducted considering only the three groups (populations) of loche identified, which was 0.024 as an average. AMOVA revealed the greatest variation between populations (79.66%) and indicated that variability within populations is 20.33%. Vegetative propagation by means of stem cuttings and cultivation in a very restricted geographical area would explain the rather low diversity of loche. This in turn would suggest that the apparent variation observed in fruit shape may be explained by somatic mutation and/or environmental factors. Full article