Biochemical analysis of amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus L.) genotypes from different locations of Uttarakhand for selection of elite germplasm
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Date
2020-10
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
From the past 20 years, little progress has been achieved in reducing child malnutrition food insecurity, and hunger. To address these problems, increased consumption of leafy vegetables is promoted as sources of both bio-active compounds and micronutrients. Amaranthus is one of the leafy vegetable which has been rediscovered as a promising food crop mainly due to its resistance to drought, heat, diseases and pests, and the high nutritional value of both seeds and leaves. They tolerate a variety of unfavorable abiotic conditions, including high salinity, acidity, or alkalinity, making them uniquely suited for subsistence agriculture. The current study was undertaken with the objective of biochemical analysis for screening of cultivated amaranthus seeds collected from different regions of Uttarakhand. The grain coat colour of amaranthus genotypes varied from dark brown to blackish brown. The colour varied from yellow, red, brown to black. Variation observed in weight of 1000 grains and it ranged from 0.81 g to 1.32 g. Seed shape was either oval or circular and seed coat was either hard or soft.Moisture content in grains of amaranthus ranged from (6.9 % - 11.1%).The results of different amaranthus genotypes for protein content ranged from ( 13.33% - 18.21% ).Amaranthus seed extracts were made in two types of solvents that are Butanol and Petroleum ether. In butanol it ranged from ( 4.32 % - 7.89 % ) while in petroleum ether it ranged from (1.04 % - 3.28 % ). Total Phenol Content results obtained by providing a direct comparison of extract content with standard sample, i.e., gallic acid. The TPC in butanol extracts of amaranthus ranged from ( 4.5 - 11.1 mg GAE/g) while in petroleum ether extract it ranged from ( 0.7 - 2.5 mg GAE/g). While the total Flavonoid Content is calculated by providing a direct comparison of the extract with standard (catechin equivalent (CE).The total flavonoid content (TFC) in butanol extracts ranged from ( 161.43- 385.53 μg CE/g ), while in petroleum ether extract it ranged from ( 13.65 - 27.47 μg CE/g ) .Among the solvents, butanol showed comparatively higher antioxidant activity than petroleum ether. The samples which have bright colours like black and red usually showed higher antioxidant activites.The test weigh to the samples was inversely proportional to the protein content.Thus, Amaranthus with higher nutritional value, antioxidant potential and a number of other health benefits is comparable to and even sometimes better than other popular crops can be a potent natural crop for blending in staple food sources. It can be exploited in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.