Some compositional properties of seeds and oils of eightAmaranthus species

Abstract

Grain of 21Amaranthus accessions (eight species) was analyzed for crude fat, fatty acid profiles (FAP), and vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols). Contents of (1→3), (1→4) β‐glucan were determined in 12 accessions (four species), and trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) in 20 accessions (six species). FAP and vitamin E profiles were compared to those of barley, buckwheat, corn, lupin, oat, and wheat oils. Crude fat content ranged from 5.2 to 7.7%, and of the oils examined, amaranth oil was most similar in FAP to corn and buckwheat oils. Amaranth was higher than all but wheat and lupin in tocopherol content but was virtually devoid of tocotrienols, which have been shown to have hypocholesterolemic activity. Amaranth grain did not contain (1→3), (1→4) β‐glucans and was low in trypsin inhibitor activity (≤4.3 trypsin units inhibited/mg). Any hypocholesterolemic effects of dietary amaranth are apparently due to substances other than (1→3), (1→4) β‐glucans or tocotrienols.

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

“…These results are consistent with those found by Budin et al (1996), in a study involving eight Amaranthus species, where a total crude fat range from 5.2% to 7.6% has been reported. No differences were observed between plants cultivated on different soils, while A. hypochondriacus showed a significantly higher level of fat content than A. cruentus.…”

“…Among these, squalene (2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene) represents a very important component of amaranth-seed oil. Squalene is a biosynthetic precursor to all steroids and an important ingredient in skin cosmetics, due to its photoprotective role and as a lubricant for computer disks due to its thermo-stability (Budin et al, 1996;Sun et al, 1995). It is hypothesised that the decreased risk for various cancers associated with high olive oil consumption, could be due to the presence of squalene (Smith et al, 2000).…”

Evaluation of fatty acid composition among selected amaranth grains grown in two consecutive years

“…Amaranthus is a multi-purpose crop, often referred to as pseudocereal, growing in many countries of the world (Budin et al 1996). For amaranth, the major grainproducing species are Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus caudatus that are cultivated throughout tropic and temperate zones.…”

Proximate and Amino Acid Composition of <i>Celosia argentea</i> Leaves

“…In Kenya, the Masai use its liquid extract as a bodywash for convalescents (Burkill, 1995). In Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo the seeds are used as medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and muscle troubles (Budin et al, 1996;Chweya and Eyzaguirre, 1999). In lndia, the leaves mixed with honey are applied to inflated areas and the seeds are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (Tindall, 1983).…”