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

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 mu mol ascorbic acid equivalent, AAE/g), followed by Pusa Kirti (13.033 mu mol AAE/g). Total phenolic content was recorded maximum in Co 1 (1 411.62 mu g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g), followed by Pusa Lal Chaulai (1 138.5 mu g 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.