Fatty acids content in watermelon, melon, squash and zucchini seeds

Seed samples of ten zucchini, melon, squash and watermelon samples were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis for the presence of fatty acids. Fatty acid composition was significantly different among various samples. Hexadecanoic acid was found in all analyzed seed samples, whereas 9,12,15-octadecanoic acid was found only in zucchini seed samples. Unsaturated fatty acids, which possess multiple health benefits, were present in all samples, in various amounts. The high concentration of essential unsaturated fatty acids in analyzed seed samples indicates that they could be used as a source of these valuable compounds in human nutrition.