Abstract
The seeds of weedy and vegetable species ofAmaranthus were analyzed for sterols and fatty acids. The major sterol was spinasterol, which ranged from 46 to 54% by weight of the total sterol mixture. Δ−7 stigmasterol occurred in the next higher amount with lesser amounts of Δ−7 ergosterol, stigmasterol and 24-methylene-cycloartenol. There was little difference in the sterol composition of the vegetable species compared to the weedy species. The fatty acid compositions of the species were essentially all the same. Linoleic acid was present in the greatest amount, with lesser amounts of oleic, palmitic, stearic, myristic, linolenic, arachidic and lignoceric acids.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anonymous, Nat. Acad. Sci. Rpt. Washington, D.C. Under-exploited tropical plants with promising economic value (1981).
Bean, G., T. Fernando, M. Holden and G. Patterson, J. Food Sci. 49:964 (1984).
Downton, W.J.S., World Crops 25:20 (1973).
Kritchevsky, D., S.A. Tepper, D. Vesselinovitch and R.W. Wissler, Atherosclerosis 17:225 (1973).
Martin, F.W., and R.M. Ruberte, Antillian College Press, Puerto Rico, Edible leaves of the tropics (1979).
Osuntogun, A.B., and O.L. Oke, Food Chem. 12:287 (1983).
Patterson, G.W., Lipids 5:597 (1970).
Patterson, G.W., Anal. Chem. 43:1165 (1971).
Singh, H., Grainamaranthus, buckwheat and chenopods, Indian Council Agr. Res. (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Fernando, T., Bean, G. A comparison of the fatty acids and sterols of seeds of weedy and vegetable species ofAmaranthus spp.. J Am Oil Chem Soc 62, 89–91 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02541498
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02541498