Characterization of Amaranth Seed Oils

Abstract

The oil fractions of Amaranthus caudatus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. seeds were studied after different treatments of the seeds. The oil contents were 7.1 and 8.5% for raw A. caudatus L. and A. cruentus L. seeds, and consisted of 80.3–82.3% of triacylglycerols (TAGs). Phospholipids represented 9.1–10.2% of the oil. The squalene content was 4.8–4.9% in both types of oil. Air classification increased the lipid content and decreased the content of squalene, while heating (popping and cooking) increased the squalene content. After germination, the lipid fraction was decreased in their TAGs and increased in their phospholipids. The main fatty acid composition (palmitic, linoleic and oleic) was not affected by thermal treatments or by germination of the seeds. The hydroperoxide stability test showed that the stability of amaranth oil was more than that of sunflower oil. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This research provides some information about the effect of different treatments – including heat treatments, germination and air classification – on the oil characteristics of two species of amaranth seeds. Fatty acids and triacylglycerol profiles, lipid fractions and squalene content were the main characteristics studied during this research. The stability of the oil against oxidation is also presented as compared with sunflower oil. The results of this research provide a clearer picture for the potential use of amaranth oil on an industrial scale and its characteristic stability under different process conditions.

Yield and qualitative characterisation of seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. grown in central Italy

“…The level of squalene in the Amaranthus oil (Tables 5 and 6) is comparable with data reported in other works (Czaplicki et al, 2012). This level of squalene is higher than usually found in oils from several cereal grains (Gamel et al, 2007). Squalene content was not different in the oil fraction of A. hypochondriacus and A. cruentus.…”

Amaranth Seeds and Products – The Source of Bioactive Compounds

“…No signifi cant differences were observed for seeds, popped seeds and fl akes ( Gamel et al [2007] in seeds and popped seeds. A much lower content of linolenic acid in popped seeds at 27.04% was determined by Singhal & Kulkarni [1990], but their result for seeds (46.79%) was similar.…”

“…Moreover, amaranth seeds and their products are a rich source of bioactive substances showing antioxidant properties Klim czak et al, 2002]. The non-saponifi able substances of the grain lipid fraction include: squalene, tocopherols, sterols and others [Gamel et al, 2007;Gorinstein et al, 2007;León-Camacho et al, 2001;Sun et al, 1997].…”

Characterization and nutritional value of precooked products of kiwicha grains (Amaranthus caudatus)

“…The content of fatty acids: palmitic (19%), oleic (31.3%) and linoleic (38%) (Palombini et al, 2013). It is also important to highlight that the amaranth oil is a rich source of squalene (Gamel et al, 2007). The puffing operation of cereals consists of the sudden application of heat at atmospheric pressure so that the moisture is vaporized inside the grain reaching high internal pressures.…”