Investigation of Primary Metabolites in Young Leaf and Fruit of Three Varieties of Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo ) from Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L), an herbaceous running plant belonging to family Cucurbitaceae, is one of the natu­ral resources grown in Ethiopia. It is a medium sized plant grown for its fruits, leaves, seeds and flowers are edible. The leaf and fruit produced by C. pepo is the most palatable vegetables in the country. The purpose of the study was to investigate the primary metabolite such as carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash in leaf and fruit of three varieties of pumpkin namely; Jarrahdale, Porcelain Doll and Sugar pie. Young leaves and ripened fruits of the varieties of pumpkin were collected from selected districts of Gurage zone. Composite sample was grinded to powder size and air dried before analysis. The results obtained were: Carbohydrate (28.15%)>Protein (26.31%)>Fiber (17.55%)>Ash (10.96%)>Moisture (10.17%) in leaves and Carbohydrate (41.68%)>Moisture (17.33%)>Fiber (16.50%)>Ash (10.95%)>Protein (9.88%)>Fat (3.66%) in fruits of pumpkin were determined using Kjeldahl method (AOAC official method: 920.39, 925.10, 962.09) and APHA 2540. The contents in the plant are high enough and proportional to common vegetables. It is recommendable to enhance the consumption of leaf and fruits of plants.