Cucurbita spp. are widely distributed horticultural species whose pulp, seeds, and peels generate substantial amounts of edible material and processing by-products. This review summarizes current knowledge on the agronomic and genetic factors underlying the variability among major species, particularly C. maxima , C. moschata , and C. pepo , and examines how growing conditions and cultivar selection modulate the nutritional and chemical profiles of edible pulp and processing by-products. Seeds and peels, often discarded during processing, contain high levels of dietary fiber, unsaturated lipids, minerals, and bioactive compounds, including carotenoids and phenolics, associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antihyperglycemic activities. Current and emerging applications in food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and non-food sectors are also examined, highlighting opportunities for value chain development through by-product recovery. Finally, processing strategies are reviewed, particularly non-thermal technologies such as high-pressure processing and pulsed electric fields. Overall, Cucurbita matrices represent underexploited resources requiring improved compositional standardization and scalable processing approaches. • Cucurbita spp. are rich in functional bioactives and essential nutrients. • Pumpkin seeds and peels have many food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. • Pumpkin offers anthelmintic, antidiabetic, and anticancer health benefits. • Emerging HPP and PEF techniques preserve bioactives in pumpkin-based matrices. • Valorizing Cucurbita spp. supports circular economy and sustainable innovation.
Leichtweis et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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