Nutritive characteristics and antioxidant activity of pseudograins

Amaranth (Amaranthus sp., Amaranthaceae), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Amaranthaceae) and canihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule, Amaranthaceae) are pseudograins originating from South America. They are widely used in the diet as well as chia seeds (Salvia hispanica, Lamiaceae) from South America and wheat (Triticum aestivum, Poaceae) and millet (Panicum miliaceum, Poaceae), characteristic for our climate. The aim of the study was to determine the nutritive characteristics, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of commercial samples of pseudograins (аmaranth, quinoa and canihua) from our market, as well as a comparative analysis to chia seeds, common and khorasan wheat and millet. Basic nutritive value parameters and mineral contents were assessed for pseudograins and chia seeds. The content of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoid compounds (TFC), antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP tests were determined for all samples. The results of the nutrient composition indicates that analyzed pseudograins are good sources of proteins (13.39%) and unlike chia seeds are characterized by relatively low fat content (5.97%). Analyzed pseudograins contain calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron in a significant amount. The highest TPC content was observed in chia seeds (395.7 mg GAE/100 g), following canihua (327.4 mg GAE/100 g), quinoa (161.9 mg GAE/100 g), common wheat (61.8 mg GAE/100 g), Khorasan wheat (51.1 mg GAE/100 g), while the lowest content was identified in millet (32.9 mg GAE/100 mg). TFC content was in a range from 0.001 % (common wheat, khorasan wheat) to 0.099 % (canihua). Antioxidant properties of pseudograins were lower compared to chia seeds, but similar to common wheat and khorasan wheat while even higher comparing to millet.X International Scientific Agriculture Symposium "Agrosym 2019", Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 03 - 06, 2019Saopštenje sa međunarodnog skupa štampano u celini (kategorija M33