title: Chemical constituents, in vitro protein digestibility, and presence of antinutritional substances in amaranth grains.
abstract: The chemical composition, content of antinutritional factors, and the in vitro protein digestibility of grains of the pseudo-cereal Amaranthus were analyzed. The plants were grown in Brazil (without fertilizer), Puerto Rico (100 kg N/ha), and California (200 kg N/ha). The seed analysis gave the following values (%DM): 14.4 - 16.9 protein (N X 6.25), 4.8 - 6.8 fat, 2.5 - 3.9 ash, and 2.3 - 2.9 crude fiber. The trypsin inhibitors, phenolics and saponine contents were low, and the phytohemagglutinin activity, fairly low. The in vitro protein digestibility was 61 - 76%. Digestibility was not correlated to the analyzed proximal composition nor to the antinutritional factors. The grain composition indicates a food value equivalent to that of conventional food grains.
mesh_terms: D027721:Amaranthus; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000032:analysis*; D005419:Flavonoids; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000032:analysis; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis; D059808:Polyphenols; D012503:Saponins / Q000032:analysis; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011108:Polymers; D059808:Polyphenols; D012503:Saponins; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors