**3. Culinary uses of cucumber**

*Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding*

cosmetic uses.

bites [11].

salicylic acids [9].

also black heads and whiteheads [16].

**2. Cosmetic uses of cucumber**

Relative to other vegetables that have been widely researched and reported on, cucumber seems to have received little interest probably because of seemingly lack of concentrated levels of well-known bioactive compounds presents in garlic, onion, tomatoes and the likes. Generally, cucumbers are consumed because of their refreshing quality, in part due to their very high water content and crunchy texture. Studies have shown that cucumbers contain lignans, vitamin K, cucurbitacins and their derivatives (triterpenoids), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol), antioxidants (beta carotene and vitamin C) and B vitamins among other trace elements and minerals [6–8]. With a 95% level of water content saturated with naturally-occurring nutrients and trace elements meshed in high dietary fiber, cucumbers are beginning to gain attention in therapeutic, culinary and

Cucumber has various benefits associated with skin treatments and natural beautification. As a cosmetic, cucumber is excellent for rubbing over the skin to keep it soft and white [9]. Because of its nutritious and an extremely cooling property, cucumbers are used by women to bringing cooling relief to the eyes in summertime [10]. Cucumber slices offer many topical benefits to the eyes and surrounding tissues through their hydrating properties, which work to reduce dehydration and their high levels of vitamin K that help reduce cutaneous eruption such as puffiness (eye bags) and dark shadows [9]. Cucumbers contain lignans that help to soothe down irritation and inflammation associated with sun burns and insect

Cucumber fruit extracts are often incorporated as a primary ingredient in many topical skin preparations. Such preparations have been used as a moisturizer and skin toner by inhibiting tyrosinase [12]. Additionally, such preparations have been used to treat wrinkles and cleanse the skin. The deep cleansing action of cucumbers emanates from its naturally occurring organic acids such as glycolic, lactic and

Glycolic and lactic acids are alpha hydroxyl acids used as chemical exfoliants that promote the natural removal of dead cells and to keep the protective surface layers healthy by dissolving the glue-like substance in the epidermal layer. The glue-like substance causes a buildup of dead skin cell layer; leaving skin dehydrated, dull and coarse. Histologically, alpha hydroxy acids have been shown to increase the thickness of the epidermis as well as cause increased collagen density, improved elastic fiber quality, increased papillary dermal thickness and increased dermal acid mucopolysacharide translating into thicker, healthier skin with fewer rhytids [13–15]. Alpha hydroxyl acids have been effective in the treatment of many skin conditions such as ache, psoriasis, bumps, pustules, eczema, dry skin, age spots, seborrheic keratosis, precancerous growths, hyperkeratosis, actinic keratosis and

Glycolic acid is the most active and beneficial of the alphahydroxyl acids in skin care, because of its ability to penetrate through the cell wall by virtue of its small molecular size [17]. Once inside the cell, it triggers new formation of collagen and turns on the synthesis of dermal glycosaminoglycans to plump up the cell and the ground substance in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skin's surface [18]. Lactic acid improves the appearance of photodamage and surface pigmentation [19].

Unlike glycolic and lactic acids, salicylic acid is a beta hydroxyl acid that exhibits a keratolytic, antiseptic and fungicidal properties [20]. It can be used for the treatment of hyperkeratotic and scaling conditions such as dandruff, ichthyosis and

**40**

Cucumber is the quintessential fruit that can be added to a variety of dishes. Typically, they are indispensable for salads or used for pickling, soups and smoothie especially in warm season or summer. Cucumber wedges tossed in a garden salad (consumed with fried and barbequed foods), slices on a sandwich, or used as an appetizer for parties have become the mainstay of many of today's lunches [1].

There are basically three separate uses for cucumbers: fresh whole, fresh sliced, and pickled. Regardless of variety, fresh whole cucumbers are grown for consumer retail sales. On the other hand, fresh sliced cucumbers are typically garden variety and are grown for the foodservice sector, which requires uniform sized slices for packaged salads and restaurant chain salad bars.

Pickling cucumbers tend to be smaller and thicker. The best known variety is the bumpy-skinned gherkin. Not all pickled forms of cucumbers are fermented. Fermented pickled cucumbers are made by combining cucumbers with water, salt, and bacteria and giving the bacteria the right amount of time to convert various substances in the cucumbers into different bioactive compounds that can elicit health benefits especially in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the unfermented pickled cucumbers, though labeled as pickles and usually sold in grocery, are made by submerging cucumbers in a very acidic liquid (usually vinegar).

The consumption of fresh whole cucumbers has become a common trend among middle-class households in some African cultures. The fresh whole cucumbers are eaten alone as a snack or in conjunction with peanuts or peanut butter as an appetizer during folkloric/traditional display of hospitality.

In recent times, the cucumber diet have become increasingly popular and included among many sought-after choices because of its availability throughout the season, low calorific value and high dietary fiber as well as stress-free procedure associated with the conventional short-term weight reduction therapies [1]. In principle, there are no standard rules to this diet other than replacing most foods with cucumbers, along with a few protein-rich foods, such as eggs, chicken, lean meat, fish, cottage cheese and nuts. Since the diet lacks variety, it is considered extremely restrictive and unsustainable for a long-term with an attendant health risk.

#### **4. Therapeutic uses of cucumber**

Traditionally, cucumber has been used in folk medicine to treat diseases such as diarrhea, diabetes, and hypertension. Consisting mostly water in which numerous electrolytes and phytochemicals are saturated, the unique chemical profile of cucumbers is thought to elicit a number of possible health benefits Notwithstanding, that some of these claims are still undergoing investigation, there is proven evidence that the phytoconstituents in cucumber possess chemopreventive and anticancer properties, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [23–26].

Cucumber has also been reported to modify plasma lipid and act as an analgesic [27]. Cucumbers are good sources of more than 73 different phenolic compounds known to elicit health benefits.
