Determination of some selected minerals in young leaves and fruits of pumpkin (cuccurbita pepo) from gurage zone, ethiopia

Pumpkin is one of the most economically, nutritionally and medicinally important vegetable crops world wide and grown in temperate and tropical region. The purpose of this study was to determine minerals in its leaf and fruit parts. Samples were collected, grineded and dried at 105 0C. Instruments (AOAC official methode: 923.03-Air–Acetylene FAAS, 923.03-Flame Photometer, ESISO 1871:2013) Agilent technology were used to detect the minerals in the samples. Microwave digestion was used by taking1g sample, 6 mL 70 % HNO3, 1 mL 30 % H2O2 to 60 mL vessels. 50 W, 165 0C (10 min); 80 W, 190 0C (20 min); and 0 W, 50 0C (10 min) were adjusted and clear soltions were kept for analysis by FAAS, Flamephotometry EDTA-titration K (5609.72 mg/kg) > Ca (5290.70 mg/kg) > Mg (2500.24 mg/kg) > Fe (249.64 mg/kg) > Na (98.28 mg/kg) > Zn (48.80 mg/kg) > Mn (38.43 mg/kg) > Cu (12.06 mg/kg) in leaves and Ca (4393.95 mg/kg) >K (3869.21 mg/kg) > Mg (2208.93 mg/kg) > Na (132.87 mg/kg) > Fe (89.89 mg/kg) > Zn (14.18 mg/kg) > Mn (12.70 mg/kg) > Cu (9.38 mg/k) in fruits were determined. Leaves of pumpkin had somewhat higher levels of mineral than fruits and comparable with those of common leafy vegetables. Both parts of the plant (leaf and fruit), are rich in minerals and recommended to be taken for healthiness. Higher potasium content could serve as better diets for hypertensive. High concentration of calcium also indicates that the pumpkin diet could be recommended for a person with tooth and bone problems.