Master of the Faculty of Chemistry of Samarkand State University Iroda Sedalova conducts a scientific research on the topic: "Study of the composition of some vegetable oils of melon by chromatographic methods." About 10 of her articles were published in state and international publications. Her scientific adviser is Associate Professor of the Department of Analytical Chemistry Ismail Ergashev.

    - According to available data, more than 35-40 thousand hectares of land are allocated annually in our country for melon crops, - tells Iroda Sedalova, - the annual harvest is 450-500 thousand tons. Several different consumer products can be obtained from gourds, and they are also effective in medicine. For example, the medicinal properties of melon are confirmed by modern medicine. Its use helps to control many physiological processes in the body. It is used for diseases of the kidneys, stomach, liver, as well as for the treatment of atherosclerosis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, lungs. Melon pulp is used in canning, confectionery production for making jams and marmalades. In most cases, gourd seeds are thrown away as waste. But from these seeds you can get incredibly useful substances for pharmaceuticals and medicine. The oil obtained from melons and gourds contains 53 different micro and macro elements. It includes ferrum, zinc, magnesium, selenium, etc. From the complex fat-soluble vitamins, A, E and F occur most often. Vitamin E is considered a very powerful natural antioxidant and is of great importance in the life of living organisms. In the course of this study, I studied the chemical composition and properties of the seeds of gourds, such as watermelon, melon and pumpkin.

    Melon seeds contain about 35% fat and are widely used for consumer and medicinal purposes. Watermelon seed oil contains a large amount of fatty acids and is rich in vitamins and trace elements. The amino acids contained in it normalize the salt-water metabolism in the kidneys. The essential oil obtained from the seeds of gourds normalizes the acid-base balance in the blood and cells, promotes the dissolution of mineralizations in kidney, slows down the development of prostatitis, affects lipid metabolism and cholesterol balance in the treatment of tuberculosis. It protects the body from premature aging. It enhances hormonal activity, improves immunity and accelerates wound healing. It is used to treat asthma, eczema, allergies, depression, diabetes, and several other conditions.

 

    In actuallity the essential oils extracted from the seeds of the studied gourds are widely used in pharmaceuticals and medicine, and can also be used as flavoring agents in the production of cosmetics.

 

Iroda Bekmurodova

Samarkand State University

News office staff.

Photos by Shavkat Akramov.