Micronutrients

  Micronutrients

  Micronutrients are the term that is applied for trace minerals as well as essential vitamins. The deficiency of micronutrients is a significant health problem in the world. Almost two billion people are deficient in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin A, zinc, Iron, and Iodine, etc. these deficiencies are due to the inaccessible of foods that are micronutrient-rich e.g., vegetables, fruits, animal products, and refreshed foods. These are inaccessible due to unavailability in local areas as well as due to their high price range. Low and middle-income countries are more susceptible to the deficiencies of the micronutrients, and they are highly prevalent in these areas. These deficiencies may cause death due to weak immune systems as well as non-immune defenses. Deficiency of micronutrients relates to some chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, thyroid deficiency colorectal cancer, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, etc. Deficiency in any essential micronutrient may result in serious health issues. [ Robert black]

These are usually associated with physiological effects that may be life-threatening or may damage optimal health as well as functioning. In the world, iron deficiency is the most dominant nutrition problem. Most congenital disabilities are due to folic deficiency. These micronutrients deficiencies are affecting human populations due to less physical activity and obesity. [ Theodore H. TulchinskyMD, MPH]

Anemia is affecting the one-third population of the world severely; most are due to deficiency of iron. That is the major health problem that is affecting maternal as well as child mortality and physical performance. Pregnant women, childbearing women, and children whose age is between 0-5 years are more susceptible to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia associates  many diseases that   are chronic kidney disease, cancer,  inflammatory bowel disease, chronic  heart failure, etc. [Anthony Lopez]

In children aged between 6-59 months, the global prevalence of anemia is 43%. Moreover, half of this is only due to iron deficiency anemia. The global prevalence of anemia that is affecting 1062 billion human population is 24.8%. [ Mclean E et al., 2009 ]

The results of a study reveal, 19.9% of the non- pregnant women were anemic, while 25.9% of the pregnant women were iron deficient. In index children, one third were iron deficient. Results in KPK were 13.4%, and in Punjab, it was 35.4%.  The prevalence of moderate anemia in index children is 30.8%, while the prevalence of severe iron deficiency is 2.6%. at the residential level, there is no notable variation [Bhutta et al., 2011]

Pumpkins are a member of Cucurbitaceae. It is used as a medicine in many developing countries as well as obtained renewal of use in Europe and the US. [caili et al., 2006]. Flowers, fruit, leaves, root, and seeds are edible parts of the plant. In many countries like China, Argentina, Yugoslavia, India, Mexico, Brazil, America, pumpkins are cultivated as well as are used as medicine. Due to good nutritional value and health shielding values of pumpkin seeds, Pumpkin has acquired extensive attention in current times. [

Pumpkins are rich in micro-nutrients and micronutrients that include vitamin A, calcium, unsaturated oleic acid, linoleic acid oil, arginine, protein, aspartate, iron, and glutamic acid [Usha et al., 2010].

Pumpkin may be processed into flour that has a longer shelf life. Pumpkins seeds are usually named as pepitas that are flat, green, small, edible seeds. Pumpkin seeds are the most crucial part of Pumpkin but are discarded as waste in most cases. Pumpkin seeds are usually used in the preparation of cereals, cakes, pieces of bread, etc., in East that can have a beneficial effect on physiology, metabolism, and human nutrition. Pumpkins seeds are rich in fiber, natural source of protein, as well as phytosterols  [Moura et al., 2010]. Therefore, to reduce costs in waste treatment and to provide nutritional enrichment inclusion of seeds flour in the formulation of products is used as an alternative.  [

Their beneficial effects on immunity, blood glucose level, cholesterol, prostate gland, liver, depression, bladder are being authenticated. [

Peels and seeds are discharged by the food industry to provide a variety of products with substantial nutritional value. These can improve nutritional aspects for various products that are provided by fibers. [Ambrosio et al.,2006; Tavares et al., 2016]

Supplementation of food products along with nutrients either they are present initially in the food products or not is termed as a fortification. That is a way of increasing the nutritional status of humans. [Karmes and Harris 2006]

Fortified foods are the best ways to raise nutritional status. Iron status can be improved by supplementation of staple food with pumpkin  seed kernels. Pumpkin seeds in foods are also beneficial to susceptible groups like children, pregnant women to overcome the deficiency of micronutrients. [Naghii and Mofid 2007]

The consumption of products that are baked like bread, biscuits, and cakes synthesized by wheat flour is widespread. [young, 2001] and are the third essential components of the staple diet. [Cichon and Misniakiewicz,2001]

Pumpkin seeds are enriched in nutrition as well as are cheap. Therefore, food mixed pumpkin seed flour is economical along with higher acceptability of high nutrient content as well.[Dhiman 2009] pumpkins seeds are nutritious, sweet snacks as well as a food additive.[ Stevenson et al., 2007]