Although the availability of genetic and genomic resources for Cucurbita pepo has increased significantly, functional genomic resources are still limited for this crop. In this direction, we have developed a high throughput reverse genetic tool: the first TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) resource for this species. Additionally, we have used this resource to demonstrate that ...

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo) is a seasonal vegetable with high nutritional and medical values. Many useful properties of this fruit are attributed to bioactive compounds. Zucchini fruits ("Yellow" and "Light Green" varieties) and four distinctive components (lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid) were selected. Firstly, the lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroas...

Amaranthus dubius, Vigna unguiculata, and Cucurbita pepo are traditionally used to manage obesity in Kenya but lack scientific validation to support their use. The aim of this study was to determine the antiobesity activity of methanolic leaf extracts of these plants in progesterone-induced obese mice. The activity of the methanolic leaf extracts was orally bioscreened in progesterone-induced o...

The gene specifying an endopeptidase of Lactococcus lactis, named pepO, was cloned from a genomic library of L. lactis subsp. cremoris P8-2-47 in lambda EMBL3 and was subsequently sequenced. pepO is probably the last gene of an operon encoding the binding-protein-dependent oligopeptide transport system of L. lactis. The inferred amino acid sequence of PepO showed that the lactococcal endopeptid...

The Cucurbitaceae family accumulates hydrophobic organic pollutants in its aerial parts at high concentrations. Major latex-like proteins (MLPs) were identified zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo) as a transporting factor for pollutants. MLPs bind to the roots, are secreted xylem vessels complexes, and transported parts. However, suitable conditions binding remain elusive. In present study, we show that...

Acrylamide is a carcinogenic and neurotoxic compound defined as heat treatment process contaminant. Due to its health concern, acrylamide formation needed be minimized. The objective of this study examine how much contained in dried almonds (Prunus dulcis), hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), pistachios (Pistacia vera), peanuts (Arachishypogaea), sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) well pumpkin (Cucu...