Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the impact of early versus normal grain harvesting on the chemical composition and secondary metabolites of Amaranthus cruentus species grown in South Africa. Mature harvested grain had higher (p < 0.05) DM, CF, NDF and ADF content compared to prematurely harvested grain. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between CP, ADL and GE of premature and mature harvested grains. Mature harvesting resulted in higher grain Ca, P, Mg and K content. Essential amino acids spectrum and content remained similar regardless of maturity at harvest. The grains displayed an ample amount of unsaturated fatty acids; the highest percentage was linoleic acid: 38.75% and 39.74% in premature and mature grains, respectively. β-Tocotrienol was detected at 5.92 and 9.67 mg/kg in premature and mature grains, respectively. The lowest was δ-tocotrienol which was 0.01 and 0.54 mg/kg in premature and mature grains, respectively. Mature harvested grain had a higher secondary metabolite content compared to premature harvested grains. The results suggest that mature harvested Amaranthus cruentus grain contain more minerals and phytochemicals that have health benefits for human and livestock immunity and gut function, which ultimately improves performance. This study concludes that A. cruentus grown in South Africa is a potential alternative cereal to major conventional cereals.
Highlights
With the rising trend of the consumption of functional foods among the population, it is time to investigate alternative crops that can provide nutrients and health benefits at the same time
The current study showed a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs): 68.29% and 70.97% in premature and mature grain, respectively
The high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids in premature and mature grains is in agreement with the results reported by Nasirpour-Tabrizi et al [10]
Summary
With the rising trend of the consumption of functional foods among the population, it is time to investigate alternative crops that can provide nutrients and health benefits at the same time. Adverse climatic conditions have affected the yield of conventional crops, which warrants the search for alternative crops. The projected increase in the population to nine billion by the year 2050 [1] has put pressure on the agricultural sector to diversify the means of food production. Development and diversification of food and feed sources through investigation of currently unexploited crops capable of providing livestock and humans with alternative nutrients is essential. Amaranth is a highly nutritious pseudocereal crop with attractive nutraceutical properties [2,3]
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