The Potential of Pumpkin (Cucurbita Moschata Duschene) as Commercial Crop in Malaysia

Abstract

Awareness of recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption has increased substantially over the last 20 years. In addition, fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin are good sources of many important nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, folate, fiber, and numerous phytochemicals. Malaysia produces pumpkin of its own, with considerably large areas of production comparable to its high global demand. However, in reality, there is a limitation in the commercial production as the local pumpkin is very much dependent on the market demand as the utilization has been limited to the consumption of fresh product. Thus, the objective of the study first initiative to provide the information about the pumpkin and second to investigates the opportunities on commercialized local pumpkin in Malaysia as by products despite various nutritious it is also listed as prophetic foods. The scientific research that covered a broad range of in vitro to in vivo studies on the by-products potentials of these fruits is also discussed in detail. The current review is an update for researchers to have a better understanding of the pumpkin, which simultaneously can provide awareness to enhance their commercial value and promote their utilization as a prophetic food especially to the Muslim consumer