SOME COMPOSITIONAL PROPERTIES OF SEEDS AND OILS OF 8 AMARANTHUS SPECIES

Grain of 21 Amaranthus accessions (eight species) was analyzed for cru de fat, fatty acid profiles (FAP), and vitamin E (tocopherols and toco trienols). Contents of (1 --> 3), (1 --> 4) beta-glucan were determine d in 12 accessions (four species), and trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA ) in 20 accessions (six species). FAP and vitamin E profiles were comp ared to those of barley, buckwheat, corn, lupin, oat, and wheat oils. Crude fat content ranged from 5.2 to 7.7%, and of the oils examined, a maranth oil was most similar in FAP to corn and buckwheat oils. Amaran th was higher than all but wheat and lupin in tocopherol content but w as virtually devoid of tocotrienols, which have been shown to have hyp ocholesterolemic activity. Amaranth grain did not contain (1 --> 3), ( 1 --> 4) beta-glucans and was low in trypsin inhibitor activity (less than or equal to 4.3 trypsin units inhibited/mg). Any hypocholesterole mic effects of dietary amaranth are apparently due to substances other than (1 --> 3), (1 --> 4) beta-glucans or tocotrienols.