Comparative chemical composition of seeds of amaranth varieties introduced in Uzbekistan

Abstract

Amaranth is one of ancient cultured plants possessing valuable food quality that is still important in modern agriculture. In this work, we studied the seed chemical compositions of four plant varieties of Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus species, acclimatized in Uzbekistan. Quantity of free amino acids, amino acids compositions of proteins, vitamins, oligo- and polysaccharides were established using chemical and physical methods. Our results on protein content suggest that introduction of these varieties into eco-climate of Andijan region, Uzbekistan, was not very favorable, though proteins resembled up to 9.4 – 13.4 % (w/w) of seed biomass. Of the water-soluble vitamins tested, the vitamin B1 was most abundant (0.81 – 1.14 µg.g^-1 of seed) with significant differences among the acclimatized varieties. Impact of feeding rats with seeds flour of studied Helios variety was established. Blood levels of triglycerides, high-, low- and very low-density lipoproteins, catalase activity under hyperlipidemia were analyzed. We found Helios variety seed flour, possibly because of high saccharides content, significantly lowered the levels of total cholesterol (-26 %) and low-density lipoproteins (-21 %). The acclimatized varieties were identified as potentially valuable food source possessing antihyperlipidemic property.