Preliminary dietary safety evaluation on protein concentrates from pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata) leaves

The dietary safety of pumpkin leaf protein products was evaluated in this experiment by using standard methods and experimental models described in the procedures for toxicological assessment on food safety. The result suggested that the LD50 of pumpkin leaf protein concentrate would be higher than 21.501g/kg·bw, which indicated the non-acute toxicity of the experimental material according to the procedures for toxicological assessment on food safety. And, no abnormality was observed after feeding the experimental animals for 30d. Therefore, it was concluded that the pumpkin leaf protein concentrate experimented should not be acutely toxic to the experimental animals.