Caractéristiques chimiques et physicochimiques des graines de cucurbitacées du Togo : concombre amer (Cucumeropsis edulis Hook. f.) et melon à pistache (Citrullus lanatus Var)/Some chemical characteristics of the seeds of two cucurbitaceae species grown in Togo: the bitter cucumber, Cucumeropsis edulis Hook. F. and the pistachio melon, Citrullus lanatus Var

The seeds of two cucurbitaceae species: bitter cucumber (Cucumeropsi sedulis Hook. f.) and pistachio melon (Citrullus lanatus Var.) much used in the diet in Togo, were studied to determine their chemical composition and their nutritional potential. The proximate analysis of the seeds and their defatted oilcakes showed proteins contents of 33.19% and 63.84% for bitter cucumber and 29.44% and 59.47% for pistachio melon. These proteins had all of the essential amino acids with a high level of tryptophan whereas lysine was the limiting essential amino acid. The extraction yield of the lipids of the seeds was 53.02% for bitter cucumber and 52.63% for pistachio melon. Unsaturated fatty acids: oleic acid (10.04-19.30%), gadoleic acid (0.02-0.30%), linoleic acid (50.07-62.70%) and linoleic acid (0.17-0.39%) were measured. Lipid indices of bitter cucumber and pistachio melon seeds oils indicated acid values as 2.03 and 2.60 mg KOH/g; iodine values as 121.0 and 137.5 g I^sup -^/100g; saponification values as 178.0 and 183.7 mg KOH/g respectively. Phosphor, potassium, and magnesium values ranged from 0.700 to 1.67%. Those of iron, copper, manganese and zinc ranged from 20.00 to 250.00 ppm. Sodium and calcium contents were negligible. Results revealed the seeds of the two species of cucurbitaceae to have great nutritional potentials with regard to their chemical and mineral composition and their consumption could contribute to fulfill some food deficiencies in Togo.