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

Abstract

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.

Chemical composition and biological activity of seed oil of amaranth varieties

“…In the oils of the studied amaranth varieties, omega-3-alpha-linolenic acid was found in the range of 1.17% -1.65 %. Earlier has been established a positive correlation between amaranth seed oil and oleic acid contents (Hlinková et al 2013). Similar results were found in our work since Kharkov and Helios varieties had higher oiliness degree and oleic acid content.…”

“…Similar results were found in our work since Kharkov and Helios varieties had higher oiliness degree and oleic acid content. Besides, the negative correlation between oleic acid and linoleic acid quantities corresponds to results in 10 amaranth samples of A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus (Hlinková et al 2013). Molar ratios of predominant unsaturated oleic (C 18:1) and linoleic (C 18:2) acids correspond to previous results in 5 Amaranthus accessions Table 3.…”

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

“…These results are in agreement with other works (Singhal and Kulkarni, 1988;Prakash and Pal, 1992;Prakash et al, 1995;He and Corke, 2003;Hlinková et al, 2013).…”

“…In fact, the seed oil is characterised by high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (Hlinková et al, 2013), whose important health benefits in lowering the cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations, are very well documented (Kris-Etherton et al, 1999). It has been demonstrated, in fact, that the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreases the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, improves insulin resistance (Mensink et al, 2003) and reduces systemic inflammation (Summers et al, 2002;Ferrucci et al, 2006).…”

Chemical Composition, In Vitro Digestibility and Fatty Acid Profile of Amaranthus caudatus Herbage During its Growth Cycle

“…The oil content of amaranth grain ranged from 58 to 71 g/kg for Amaranthus cruentus (Berganza et al, 2003), while Hlinková et al (2013) showed that oil content of Amaranthus cruentus ranged from 64 to 82 g/kg and from 63 to 87 g/kg for Amaranthus hypochondriacus.…”