Germinated pumpkin flours: Antioxidant potential, phenolic compounds, minerals, morphology, and thermal analyses

The flours of germinated pumpkin seeds of Crown, Jacarezinho, and Italian varieties were evaluated. The flours showed a predominance of yellow intensity, high content of minerals, and total phenolic compounds with important in vitro antioxidant potential. There was a predominance of flavonoids (myricetin, procyanidin B2, and procyanidin B1). The degradation of phenolic compounds was satisfactorily predicted by zero-order (Crown and Italian) and first-order (Jacarezinho) equations. The flours were considered non-toxic, with morphologically irregular particles and predominance of amorphous characteristics. The FTIR spectra showed the bands of the main components, indicating the presence of starch, lipids, and proteins. The thermal properties showed distinct gelatinization peaks between the flours, while the TGA and DTG curves showed greater mass loss during the carbonization of the material in the three flours. The flours studied have some distinct characteristics, with great potential for use in various formulations and preparations of functional foods. Novelty impact statement: Germinated pumpkin seed flours have high content of minerals, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, concentration of crude fiber, and flavanoids. As for morphology, they showed a predominance of amorphous characteristics. The FTIR spectra showed the presence of starch, lipids, and proteins in the flours. Thus, germination followed by convective drying for the production of pumpkin seed flours proved to be effective and sustainable to make new flour options available on the market that can contribute to improving the nutritional and functional profile of foods.