Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) as an alternative crop for sustainable food production: Phenolic acids and flavonoids with potential impact on its nutraceutical quality

作者：Barba de la Rosa A P; Fomsgaard Inge S; Laursen Bente; Mortensen Anne G; Olvera Martinez L; Silva Sanchez C; Mendoza Herrera A; Gonzalez Castaneda J; De Leon Rodriguez A

来源：Journal of Cereal Science, 2009, 49(1): 117-121.

DOI：10.1016/j.jcs.2008.07.012

• Crop yield
• LC/MS/MS
• Protein content
• Phytochemicals
• RAPD

The demand for food is increasing, not only to meet food security for growing populations, but also to provide more nutritious food, rich in good quality proteins and nutraceutical compounds. The amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) plant, in addition to its high nutritive and nutraceutical characteristics, has excellent agronomic features. The objective of the present study was to analyze some physical and proximal-nutritional properties of amaranth seeds obtained from different varieties grown in and zones and characterize their phenolic acids and flavonoids. Two commercial (Tulyehualco and Nutrisol) and two new (DGETA and Gabriela) varieties of A. hypochondriacus were grown at the Mexican Highlands zone. Tulyehualco and DGETA varieties had higher seed yield of 1475 and 1422 kg ha (1), respectively, comparable to corn and soybean production in agricultural areas. Gabriela had the highest protein content of 17.3%, but all varieties had an adequate balance of essential amino acids. Polyphenols as rutin (4.0-10.2 mu g g (1) flour) and nicotiflorin (7.2-4.8 mu g g (1) flour) were detected. Amaranth can be cultivated in arid zones where commercial crops cannot be grown; the seeds besides their well known nutritive characteristics could be a source of phenolic compounds of high antioxidant properties.

• 出版日期2009-1