Comparison of the Nutrient Compositions in Red and Green Amaranthus (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

Abstract

Amaranth has two morphological types, one is red and another is green. For this study, we collected five red and five green morph samples to analysis in terms of proximate, minerals, antioxidant pigments and phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in three replicates. The leaves of red amaranth are an outstanding source of dietary fiber, carbohydrates, moisture, and protein. We found remarkable potassium (6.55 mg/g), calcium (2.63 mg/g), magnesium (3.01 mg/g), iron (10.94 µg/g), manganese (13.16 µg/g), copper (2.01 µg/g), zinc (11.57 µg/g), carotenoids (47.13 mg/100g), total phenolics (14.36 GAEµg/g), vitamin C (50.74 mg/100g) and antioxidant activity (ABTS+) (25.27 TEACµg/g) in the red amaranth leaves. These data indicated that red and green could be considered as enriched in their antioxidant profiles. Carotenoids exhibited significant positive associations with TPC, TFC and TAC (ABTS+). Vitamin C had a minor and positive interrelationship with TAC, TFC, and TPC, although it exhibited negative and insignificant associations with carotenoids. TPC, TFC and TAC (ABTS+) showed a significant positive association. Red amaranth is an excellent source of nutrients, antioxidant pigments, minerals, and phytochemicals compared to green amaranth. In this investigation, it was revealed that flavonoids, phenolic compounds and carotenoids had strong antioxidant activity and significantly contributed to the antioxidant activity of the green and red of amaranth. Red amaranth could be a potential source of nutritional components and antioxidant phytochemicals in the human diet providing opportunities to address mineral nutrient deficiencies and provide an antioxidant rich food.