The oil of amaranth grain (Amaranthus spp.) is a rich source of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. In this study, we tested 10 amaranth samples representing two species (Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus) in two consecutive years (2010, 2011). Grain oils were analysed by gas chromatography for their fatty acids profile. In 2010, oil content ranged from 6.4-8.2% for A. cruentus and 6.3-7.9% for A. hypochondriacus. In 2011, the level was 7.1-8.2% and 6.6-8.7% for A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus, respectively. Linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were dominant fatty acids in all of the oil samples. The essential linoleic acid level was 33.3-38.7% (A. cruentus) and 31.7-47.5% (A. hypochondriacus) in 2010 and 34.6-39.9% (A. cruentus) and 34-44.5% (A. hypochondriacus) in 2011. The minority fatty acids, i.e. stearic, α-linolenic, and arachidic acids were also observed. Eicosenoic and behenic acids were present in the grain in trace amounts. Statistical evaluation showed a significant effect of year and species of amaranth on the levels of certain fatty acids. There was a strong positive correlation between oil content and oleic acid, and a negative correlation between oleic acid and either of the other two fatty acids, linoleic and α-linolenic ones.

Vollmannová A., Margitanová E., Tóth T., Timoracká M., Urminská D., Bojňanská T., Čičová I. (2013): Cultivar influence on total polyphenol and rutin contents and total antioxidant capacity in buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa seeds. Czech J. Food Sci., 31: 589-590.Five cultivars from each of the three types of pseudocereals, i.e. buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa, were studied for total polyphenol and rutin contents as well as total antioxidant capacity of seeds. A spectrophotometric method was used for the determination of total polyphenol content (using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent) and total antioxidant capacity (using DPPH). Rutin content in pseudocereal seeds was determined by HPLC. The determined total polyphenol content in seeds of buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa cultivars was in the intervals of 15 874-71 359 mg/kg DM, 1381-2870 mg/kg DM, and 459-1839 mg/kg DM, respectively. Rutin content in buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa seeds was in the intervals of 8722-17 125 mg/kg DM, 310-508 mg/kg DM, and 170-368 mg/kg DM, respectively. The presented results confirmed a statistically significant influence of cultivar on total polyphenol and rutin contents as well as on total antioxidant capacity of pseudocereal seeds.

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Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a valuable source of proteins, B vitamins, manganese, tryptophan, phytochemicals with an antioxidant effect, and the natural flavonoid rutin. Due to its composition, buckwheat supports the human immune system, regulates blood cholesterol, and is suitable for patients with diabetes or celiac disease. The study aimed to compare the allocation of selected phenolic acids (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, trans-caffeic acid, trans-p-coumaric acid, trans-sinapic acid, trans-ferulic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, vitexin, quercetin, kaempferol) in the leaves, flowers, and grain of buckwheat cultivars of different origin. The content of individual phenolics was determined by the HPLC-DAD method. The results confirmed the determining role of cultivar on the relative content of chlorogenic acid, trans-caffeic acid, trans-sinapic acid, vitexin, and kaempferol in buckwheat plants. A significantly negative correlation among concentrations of phenolic acids in different common buckwheat plant parts shows that there are different mechanisms of genetic influences on the concentration of phenolic substances in common buckwheat flowers, leaves, and grain. These differences should be taken into account when breeding buckwheat for a high concentration of selected phenolic substances.

The composite flours were created from basic wheat flour and from buckwheat and millet flours used as additives in the weight ratio of 5-30%. Basic technological parameters of flours (ash content, wet gluten, gluten swelling, sedimentation index, falling number), rheological properties of dough, and sensory parameters of baked bread loaves (weight, specific volume, aroma, taste, structure) were studied. Additives influenced all traits of flours, doughs, and baked breads. From the technological and sensory points of view, baked breads with the addition of buckwheat were accepted up to the addition of 20% and breads with millet up to 5% (even though taste and flavour were accepted up to 15% addition).

The changes of dynamics of total polyphenolics formation in various anatomical parts (stems, leaves, flowers and seeds) of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) during vegetation period were surveyed. Six cultivars were analysed: Pyra, Spacinska, Emka, Kasho, Jana C1 and Hrusowska. The content of total polyphenolics was evaluated in growth phase I. (formation of buds), in phase II. (at the beginning of flowering), in phase III. (full blossoming) and in phase IV. (full ripeness). The total polyphenolics content was assessed by using Folin-Ciocalteau assay spectrophotometrically on Shimadzu UV-1800. When evaluating all four anatomical parts of common buckwheat we can state that the flowers contained the highest concentration of total polyphenolics where the values were in range from 14.93 to 25.16 mg.g -1. In last phase (IV. phase) where stems, leaves, and seeds were evaluated, buckwheat leaves exerted the highest content of these compounds, and the values were in range from 68.74 to 90.27 mg.g -1. Maximal increase of total phenolics content was manifested in each variety in phase IV., i.e. at the end of the vegetation period. From the standpoint of the content of total polyphenolics in individual anatomical parts the cultivars Pyra, Hrusowska and Emka were the most suitable ones as functional foods.

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Abstract:The content of retrograded resistant starch of the RS 3 type was determined in six plant species and their accessions. Besides sorghum and foxtail millet, plant genotypes were cultivated in Piešťany locality in the year 2003. There were significant differences in RS 3 and total starch content in analysed crops and their accessions. Chickpea and buckwheat had the highest average content of RS 3 , 5.2% and 3.8%, respectively. Millet and foxtail millet contained less RS 3 , 2.9% and 2.8%, respectively. Millet was rich in total starch. The lowest amounts of RS 3 were detected in sorghum (1.6%) and amaranth (1.2%). The lowest variation in the RS 3 content was detected within the set of millet accessions and the highest within amaranths.