Pumpkin is a tasty fruit. It's a fruit because it has seeds. Pumpkins are orange. When made to be an ingredient, the food will be tinted orange. There are numerous ways to partake of the delicious gourd. Choose one, and enjoy it for all of the benefits it gives.
Pumpkins and pumpkins' seeds simultaneously supplement healthy diets. Pumpkin pulp is a superb source of Beta-carotene.
Beta-Carotene Molecular Formula: C40H56
Carotenoids are red, orange, and yellow pigments. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid. Incidentally, Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. Beta-carotene is derived from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Biosynthesis of carotenoids-
The pathway begins with three molecules of acetyl CoA. Those three acetyl CoA molecules plus mevalonic acid, synthesize isopentanyl pyrophosphate(IPP). In the succeeding step of the pathway, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate(GGPP) is produced by the condensation of dimethyl allyl pyrophosphate(DMAPP) with a molecule of isopentanyl pyrophosphate(IPP). It is followed by the addition of two IPP units using GGPP synthase. A two molecule reaction between GGPP yields phytoene. The phytoene enzyme is faithful in the biosynthesis of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The first C40 hydrocarbon, an important intermediate of phytoene, undergoes a series of desaturation reactions resulting in the formation of zeta-carotene(2-carotene) and lycopene. Four desaturase reactions are catalysed by two related enzymes: phytoene desaturase(PDS) and 2-zeta-carotene desaturases (ZDS). The enzyme introduces double bonds in the phytoene. Lycopene has a pink color. The products yield carotene with two types of rings, B and E rings. B rings yield beta- carotene, and E rings yield alpha-carotene. The pathway branches at this point. The enzyme lycopene-beta-cyclases are responsible for cyclization of lycopene. Two beta-rings are introduced at the ends of the linear lycopene molecule.
Beta-carotene uses:
Decreases (exercise-induced) asthma. It also prevents certain cancers, age related macular degeneration(AMD), treats AIDS, alcoholism, Alzheimer's, alcoholism, disease, depression, epilepsy, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, and skin disorders(psoriasis and vitiligo).
Beta-carotene is used to treat malnourished women by reducing the chance of death and night blindness during pregnancy. The treatment is also aimed toward stopping diarrhea and fever after giving birth.
Some people who sunburn easily, including those with an inherited disease called erthyropoietic protoporphyria(EPP), use beta-carotene to reduce the risk of sunburn.
There are many authorities – including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the World Cancer Research Institute in association with the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer – that recommend getting beta-carotene and other antioxidants from food instead of supplements. Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily provides 6-8 mg of beta-carotene.
Pumpkin can be prepared in a wide array of scrumptious ways. For example: Protein Pumpkin Pie with Whey Protein Recipe (https://www.gnc.com/health-articles-tips/recipes/protein-pumpkin-pie.html):
2 (9-inch) deep-dish, unbaked pie crusts
5 eggs
2 ½ cups canned pumpkin
6 scoops- GNC performance Whey
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
2 cans fat-free evaporated milk
Light whipped cream (optional)
The pie should be placed on bake, and allowed to cool. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream.
Pumpkin is a healthy source of vitamins and nutrients. It is packed with Beta-carotene.
