Twelve cultivars of 3 pumpkin species (Cucurbita sp.) were extd. with 80% MeOH. The exts. were analyzed for contents of phenolic compds. by high-performance liq. chromatog. and for antioxidant properties by 2 spectroscopic methods: ferric ion-reducing ability of plasma and a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrohydrazyl-radical-based one. Six phenolic acids (p-hydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic, caffeic, syringic, p-transcoumaric and ferulic acids) and one flavonoid (rutin) were found in the exts. Significant differences obsd. for the tested cultivars suggest various health-promoting qualities of particular pumpkin genotypes.