Pumpkin seed oil
The extraction of pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil is taken from pumpkin seeds either through a cold pressing or through pressing the seeds using heat (hot pressing). Pumpkins can contain up to 100 seeds, which can be further processed with or without their shells. Pretreated seeds are fed into a press.
A Florapower Universal press can efficiently remove the oil both in the cold press process and also from roasted pumpkin seeds. Products from this process include pumpkin seed oil and high quality pumpkin seed press cakes.
In Styria, a very specific process is used. First the seeds are washed, then dried at approx. 50°C, ground and mixed with water and salt into a slurry, and then roasted so that the water evaporates. The roasting process separates the protein and oil contained in the seeds. Finally, the slurry is fed into a press. The resulting oil needs to be left for several days, however, in order for the suspended particles to settle.
Valuable properties of pumpkin seed oil
Cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil has a greenish color, whereas the hot-pressed variety has a red fluorescent color. The scent of this oil is described as intensely nutty, grassy, herbaceous, roasted, and mildly spicy. Taste-wise, pumpkin seed oil is nutty and highly aromatic, and has its own intense flavor. The solidification point of this oil lies around -15 to -16° C.
In cool and dark storage conditions, pumpkin seed oil will stay fresh for 9 to 12 months.
Pumpkin seed oil is an excellent choice!
In pharmacy and medicine
According to the “Lexicon of Vegetable Fats and Oils”, pumpkin seed oil has several positive properties and effects. Due to the selenium and vitamin E contained in pumpkin seed oil, this oil has an antioxidant effect and protects the body from free radicals. It also has a cholesterol-lowering effect due to its high content of linoleic acid and phytosterols. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is used as an additional therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids also has a vasodilating effect and supports the immune system.
Long tradition in folk medicine
Even in naturopathy, pumpkin seed oil is widely used. Areas where it is used include, for example, arteriosclerosis, prostate disorder, high blood pressure, urination problems, bladder infections, an irritable bladder, intervertebral disc problems, muscle cramps, kidney diseases, and also deworming.
Cosmetic use
In cosmetics, pumpkin seed oil commonly finds application as carrier oil, since it contains many active substances such as Vitamin A and E and carotenoid, which exhibit good skin care qualities and which must otherwise be added to cosmetic products by other means. This oil is supposed to help with dehydrated hair, the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, skin aging, stretch marks, and scaly and chapped skin.
High-quality pumpkin seed oil in the kitchen
Pumpkin seed oil can be used in a variety of ways, for example in salads, beef, aspic, soups or desserts such as ice cream. However, as it should not be heated, it is not suitable for cooking, frying or deep-frying.
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In addition to their own knowledge acquired through press trials, the following sources were used to create the article:
- Öle, natürlich kaltgepresst, Basiswissen & Rezepte, Marcus Hartmann, Hädecke, 2008
- Heilende Öle, Pflanzenöle als Nahrungs- und Heilmittel, Neue Erkenntnisse, Günter Albert Ulmer Verlag Tuningen
- Lexikon der pflanzlichen Fette und Öle, Krist, Buchbauer, Klausberger, SpringerWienNewYork, 2008
- www.wikipedia.de
- en.wikipedia.org
