Special Paper on Economic Biology

Squash
Cucurbita maxima Duchesne
Submitted by: Lamina Mary Eileen O.
I. Introduction:
Squash is one of the most versatile and delicious vegetables available throughout the world, and it also
packs a serious punch in terms of health and medicinal benefits. Different varieties of squash have the
ability to improve the quality of your sight, boost skin health, strengthen the immune system, prevent
cancer, manage symptoms of diabetes, build strong bones, protect heart health, reduce symptoms of
insomnia, prevent inflammatory conditions, treat arthritis, eliminate ulcers, eliminate parasites and
infections, increase prostate health, protect against birth defects, boost respiratory health, and it can
also reduce blood pressure. (Organic facts, 2017)

Squash is a very interesting vegetable, because it is actually a broad term that involves a number of
different types of vegetables, including pumpkins, zucchinis, courgettes, and marrows. They have a
number of overlapping characteristics, and belong to the genus Cucurbita. The individual species include
dozens of varieties, including buttercup, hubbard, cushaw, acorn, summer, autumn, and winter squash.
Some other varieties include pumpkin, and zucchini. In North America, most of the varieties are
simplified into either summer or winter squash. These classifications depend on when the squashes
ripen, and what flavor and health benefits the user is trying to gain. Squash also include gourds, of which
there are many different classifications as well. (Doctor F . 2015)

In our country, Philippines, squash or kalabasa were one of the most popular vegetable that we can
plant in our yards. The vines of the squash can grow very long and it can creeps and trail along where
the sunlight is projected. Squash has a rich source of vitamin A that can help our eyes be healthy, not
only vitamin A but also as well as significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin,
pantothenic acid, and folate. In terms of minerals, squash contains magnesium, potassium, manganese,
copper, phosphorous, calcium, and iron. It is also a very good source of carotenoids and other important
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.

II. Objectives:

-To determine the health benefits of the squash.

- To study the nutritional content in this study

- To be able to have more knowledge in Squash

III. Discussion

Classification

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Clade: Rosids

Order: Cucurbitales

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Tribe: Cucurbiteae

Genus: Cucurbita

L.

(Source: Wikipedia)
Discussion
Cucurbita (Latin for gourd) is a genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, also
known as cucurbits, native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five species are grown worldwide for their
edible fruit, variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd depending on species, variety, and local
parlance, and for their seeds. First cultivated in the Americas before being brought to Europe by
returning explorers after their discovery of the New World, plants in the genus Cucurbita are important
sources of human food and oil. Other kinds of gourd, also called bottle-gourds, are native to Africa and
belong to the genus Lagenaria, which is in the same family and subfamily as Cucurbita but in a different
tribe. These other gourds are used as utensils or vessels, and their young fruits are eaten much like
those of Cucurbita species. (stuart exchange)

Most Cucurbita species are herbaceous vines that grow several meters in length and have tendrils, but
non-vining "bush" cultivars of C. pepo and C. maxima have also been developed. The yellow or orange
flowers on a Cucurbita plant are of two types: female and male. The female flowers produce the fruit
and the male flowers produce pollen. Many North and Central American species are visited by specialist
bee pollinators, but other insects with more general feeding habits, such as honey bees, also visit.

The fruits of the genus Cucurbita are good sources of nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin C, among
other nutrients according to species. The plants also contain other phytochemicals, such as cucurbitin,
cucurmosin, and cucurbitacin. (Ameyac 2016)

There is debate about the taxonomy of the genus, as the number of accepted species varies from 13 to
30. The five domesticated species are Cucurbita argyrosperma, C. ficifolia, C. maxima, C. moschata, and
C. pepo. All of these can be treated as winter squash because the full-grown fruits can be stored for
months; however, C. pepo includes some cultivars that are better used only as summer squash.
(Wikipedia)

Studies on Squash

. Squash, which has a high level of carotenes per serving, has built-in anti-cancer benefits. While studies
show carotenoid concentrations in blood are biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake offering cancer
protection, one study in particular explored a possible association between carotene presence and breast
cancer. Researchers concluded that among six carotenes tested, only -carotene intake was significantly
associated with reduced breast cancer risk.

Squash seeds provide lots of good-for-your-heart dietary fiber and unsaturated fatty acids, along with
protein, minerals, and vitamins. Squash seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that converts to
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter that concentrates (no
pun intended) on motor decision speed. The tryptophan in squash seeds also may be crucial in regulating
the endocrine pancreas, which in turn regulates the blood glucose in the body. (Dr. Joseph Mercola 1997-
2017)
Ethnology
Cucurbita fruits have played a role in human culture for at least 2,000 years. They are often represented
in Moche ceramics from Peru. After Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World, paintings of
squashes started to appear in Europe early in the sixteenth century. The fruits have many culinary uses
including pumpkin pie, biscuits, bread, desserts, puddings, beverages, and soups. Pumpkins and other
Cucurbita fruits are celebrated in festivals and in flower and vegetable shows in many countries.
(Wikipedia).

Squash is also considered the apple of God far back on 3,000 BCE by the Ancient American Indians.
The belief was that the squash seeds would increase fertility if they were planted close by, and indeed
those with large squash fields did produce large families. With such strong faith in the powers of squash,
the early Native Americans made this vegetable an important staple in their diet.

Based on my childhood, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition we can
see different types of pumpkin in the streets or even in our houses with a lot of designs. It can also use
as a design as a treat bag when we go to different houses for trick or treats.

Economic Importance:

The squash season brings in millions in only three months unlike any other crop that we export in
different countries. Our economy depends on what we do and from remittances as well as squash. The
squash export is one of our major industry that contributes a lot to our economy in just a short period of
time in comparison to other crops.(Ministry of information and confirmation 2015) From a farmer who
planted an acre of squash crop and received $9,000 or almost 450,000 for that. Some farmers have
harvested their crop and exported them overseas while some are still in the process of packaging. The
squash season is normally from July to October before the farmers export they will examine first if there
are pests.

There are a lot importance of Squash that can mainly help us, the first one squash can be our healthy
snack. Squash seeds are a great snack due to their convenient availability and for the healthy nutrients
they contain. Squash seeds can also be seasoned and baked. Nowadays we can find kalabasa bread in
some markets that are high in nutrients.
Recommendation:

I recommend this vegetable to use this as a research because it has a lot of medicinal importance. This
research may benefit those who have a medical illness, squash can be a source of vitamins like, seeds
can be an excellent sources of the anti-oxidant Vitamin E which is a good lipid soluble antioxidant. This
makes up tissue cells from the free radicals during injury and maintains the mucus membranes
integrity. This also protects the skin from free radicals. Squash is also an important plant who are
diabetic, in these research squash seeds extract treats diabetes and boosts insulin regulation in patients.
It maintains kidney function in diabetes. This decreases oxidative stress that plays a vital role to maintain
blood sugar levels. Lastly I recommend this plant to those who are in diet, squash seeds can help you to
lose weight since they are filled with fiber and protein. This also contains protein that helps to keep you
fuller for a longer time.

Conclusion:

Nowadays a lot of people had become picky on what they eat, like me I dont eat much squash but
because of this research Ive learned that squash cant only treat our eyes to have a clearer vision but it
can help those that doesnt have sufficient money that have an illness, by eating squash it can improve
our health, weight loss, vision, prostate health and I also read on an article that squash has a sexual
benefit that can acts as a sexual stimulant, is prostate-friendly and uplifts libido. This helps to maintain
healthy prostate functioning and increases sexual performance. This contains phosphorous that plays an
important role for healthy erections and a strong libido. Zinc in the seeds maintains the sex hormone
testosterone and healthy sperm production in men. It controls sperm release in men during urination
and contains the amino acid, Myosin for muscular contractions and energy, not only that we can also
plant our own squash in our home now that the market sells seed that can help us.
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