Wild Amaranthus caudatus seed oil, a nutraceutical resource from Ecuadorian flora

Seed oil of wild Amaranthus caudatus from Ecuador was analyzed for determin ing the tocopherol, fatty acid, and sterol contents. The data obtained were compared with the analogous chemical profile of seed oil of Italian A. cau datus with the objective of evaluating the nutraceutical and alimentary pot ential of the Ecuadorian matrix. Supercritical fluid and ultrasound-enhance d extractions were performed on both matrices. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of tocopherols were performed by HPLC, whereas GO and GC-MS were used to determine the fatty acid composition and sterols, respectivel y. Supercritical fluid extraction at 400 atm. was the most efficient extrac tion method in terms of both total yield extract and tocopherol yield. Seed s of Ecuadorian of A. caudatus contained higher levels of tocopherols than Italian samples, whereas the fatty acid composition and sterol content were similar. From the obtained results it can be suggested that seed oil of wi ld Ecuadorian A. caudatus can prove to be an effective nutraceutical and al imentary resource and a valid alternative to the European varieties.