Humble pumpkin a star turn in health galaxy

Pumpkin is not the most glamorous vegetable, but BayOils, a Marlborough company researching the health benefits of pumpkin seed oil, says there is more to the humble pumpkin than meets the eye.

BayOils is the brainchild of former medical researcher Glenn Vile and local crop and seed grower Garth Neal.

Mr Vile grew up in Marlborough and worked as a teenager on Mr Neal's farm before pursuing a career in health research. When he returned to the region he teamed up with Mr Neal and the pair combined their skills to form the company.

Mr Vile said the health benefits of pumpkin seed oil were common knowledge. Countries which consumed pumpkin seed oil, such as Austria and Hungary, had much lower rates of prostate cancer.

"While we knew that pumpkin seed oil was good for you, we wanted to research how our oil compared with that of other countries and which varieties gave the best nutritional value," he said.

The research, conducted by Lincoln University, showed the pumpkin seed oil produced in Marlborough contains particularly high levels of vitamin E, plant sterols and fatty acids such as linoleic acid.

Mr Vile said these components made pumpkin seed oil nutritionally beneficial, and he was excited about the potential for export.

"We have a unique environment in Marlborough where we have the conditions to produce more nutritional pumpkins and there is a growing market in health products."

Although the research is only in the initial stages, pumpkin seed oil is already being exported by the company to countries such as Japan.

The oil is encapsulated and combined with other substances to make male health supplements.

BayOils also makes around 150 litres of oil a year for the domestic market. This oil is roasted, giving it a distinctive, nutty taste.

"Chefs love using it because of the taste, but also because of its colour - it is a rich caramel colour, a lot darker than most oils," Mr Vile said.

Mr Neal said the research had shown that different varieties of pumpkins contained different levels of sterols and he planned to experiment with different varieties at his Wairau Plains property.

"What is really exciting about this research is that it is international - the samples were taken by Lincoln University to Sweden to be tested and the results show that we can compete internationally."

- NZPA