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

  • Section Cellular and Molecular Biology
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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.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

analysis of variance

GC-FID:

gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector

MUFA:

monounsaturated fatty acids

OA/LA:

oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio

PC:

principal component

PUFA:

poly-unsaturated fatty acids

SFA:

saturated fatty acids

UI:

unsaturation index of fatty acids

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Námestie J. Herdu 2, SK-91701, Trnava, Slovakia

    Andrea Hlinková

  2. Plant Production Research Centre Piešťany, Bratislavská 122, SK-92168, Piešťany, Slovakia

    Andrea Hlinková, Michaela Havrlentová, Jana Šupová & Iveta Čičová

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Námestie J. Herdu 2, SK-91701, Trnava, Slovakia

    Adriána Bednárová

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  1. Andrea Hlinková
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  2. Adriána Bednárová
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Hlinková, A., Bednárová, A., Havrlentová, M. et al. Evaluation of fatty acid composition among selected amaranth grains grown in two consecutive years. Biologia 68, 641–650 (2013). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-013-0190-6

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