NUTRITIONAL CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF SELECTED SPECIES OF AMARANTHUS L.

Main Article Content

W. BIEL
E. JENDRZEJCZAK
A. JAROSZEWSKA
R. WITKOWICZ
E. PIĄTKOWSKA
A. TELESIŃSKI

Keywords

amaranth, antioxidant activity, betacyanins, chemical composition, genotype, harvest time

Abstract

The aim was to assess the entire plant of three species of Amaranthus L. with regard to their chemical content, determination of the most valuable genotype, and the optimum harvest time in relation to the species' nutritional value. The amaranth harvested later was found to contain less protein and ash, but clearly more fibre, and nitrogen-free extracts. The highest content of mineral compounds was observed at the beginning of blossoming. The genotypes were characterized by very high levels of radical scavenging activity , which was dependent on harvest timing. Betanine and amaranthine concentration decreased with the delay in harvesting.

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