Dietary fibre and vitamin E levels were evaluated in five species of Cucurbit oilseeds (Cucumeropsis mannii, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Lagenaria siceraria and Cucumis sativus) from different agro-ecological zones in Cameroon, to supplement the available food composition data on these seeds. The results showed that the dietary fibre and vitamin E levels did not depend on the region of origin but on the species. The seeds were rich in dietary fibre especially insoluble dietary fibre, which varied from 15.70 ± 1.61 (C. sativus) to 19.21 ± 1.29 g/100 Edible Portion (EP) (C. mannii), making up 74 - 81 % of the total dietary fibre. Soluble dietary fibre ranged from 4.35 ± 1.18 (C. maxima) to 6.60 ± 0.86 g /100g EP (L. siceraria) and total dietary fibre was from 20.19 ± 1.81 (C. sativus) to 25.13 ± 1.68 g /100 g EP (L. siceraria). Alpha (α), γ and δ-tocopherols were present in all the samples. The - tocopherol level was from 0.23 ± 0.32 (C. moschata) to 8.52 ± 1.64 (C. sativus), α-tocopherol from 3.87 ± 3.14 (C. maxima) to 9.84 ± 6.00 (L. siceraria) and gamma (γ) tocopherol from 87.12 ± 39.42 (C. moschata) to 644.86 ± 130.50 μg/g of lipid (L. siceraria), making up 94-99% of total tocopherols in these seed oils. Total tocopherols were from 92.72 ± 42.19 (C. moschata) to 662.03 ± 134.33 μg /g of lipid (L. siceraria). Consumption of 100 g of these seeds (especially L. siceraria), can cover the dietary fibre needs per day for children of 1 - 8 years old, women and 70% in men and the vitamin E needs per day for all age groups. The dietary fibre and vitamin E (antioxidants) levels in these seeds suggest their potential to fight against overweight, obesity and oxidative stress, preventing cancer.
