Studies on diverse genotypes of amaranth (Amaranthus species) for their antioxidant and nutritional activities

Abstract

An investigation was carried out with eight diverse genotypes of amaranth (Amaranthus species) to estimate the
biochemical composition (including anthocyanin, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, antioxidant, i e Ferric Reducing
Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Cupric ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) and total phenolic content) at
IARI, New Delhi, during 2011. Among genotypes, anthocyanin ranged from 5.33 mg/100 g of fresh sample (Renu Sree)
to 40.81 mg/100 g (Pusa Lal Chaulai). Maximum ascorbic acid was recorded in Co 1 (81.2 mg/100 g), followed by Pusa
Kirti (78.4 mg/100 g).Total carotenoids were maximum in Pusa Lal Chaulai (69.41 mg per 100 g). Total antioxidant
activity measured by CUPRAC and FRAP showed that three genotypes, Pusa Lal Chaulai, Krishna Sree and Co 1, had
higher value of antioxidant in CUPRAC method, however in FRAP method highest antioxidant activity was recorded in
Pusa Lal Chaulai (13.157 µmol ascorbic acid equivalent, AAE/g), followed by Pusa Kirti (13.033 µmol AAE/g). Total
phenolic content was recorded maximum in Co 1 (1 411.62 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g), followed by Pusa Lal
Chaulai (1 138.5 μg GAE per g). By considering all, it was observed that Co 1, Pusa Lal Chaulai, Pusa Kirti and Renu Sree
were potential genotypes and hence may be utilized for improvement of amaranth for high nutritional activity.