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Gómez MJR, Magro PC, Blázquez MR, Maestro-Gaitán I, Iñiguez FMS, Sobrado VC, Prieto JM. Nutritional composition of quinoa leafy greens: An underutilized plant-based food with the potential of contributing to current dietary trends. Food Res Int 2024; 178:113862. [PMID: 38309894 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) leafy greens (QLGs) are plant-based foods of high nutritional value that have been scarcely studied. In this work, the nutritional and functional composition of three QLGs varieties was evaluated. A protein content higher than 35 g 100 g-1 dw with a well-balanced essential amino acid composition was found making them a good source of vegetable protein. In addition, elevated contents of dietary fibre and minerals, higher than those detected in quinoa seeds and other leafy vegetables, were found. The lipid profile showed higher contents of linoleic (C18:2, ω6) (20.2 %) and linolenic acids (C18:3, ω3) (52.8 %) with low ω6/ ω3 ratios (∼0.4/1). A total sugar content <1 g 100 g-1 dw was found for all varieties tested, lower than that obtained in seeds. The saponin content varied between 0.76 and 0.87 %. Also, high values of total phenolic compounds (969.8-1195.4 mg gallic acid 100 g-1), mainly hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, and great antioxidant activities (7.64-8.90 g Trolox kg-1) were found. Multivariate analysis here used allowed us to classify the samples according to the quinoa variety evaluated, and the sequential stepwise multiple regression applied revealed that the PUFA and sucrose contents negatively influenced the protein content while the palmitic acid content affected positively this parameter. Overall, this study shows that QLGs are promising nutritious and functional plant-based foods supporting the necessity of promoting their cultivation, commercialization, and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- M José Rodríguez Gómez
- Área de Vegetales, Instituto Tecnológico Agroalimentario de Extremadura, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura, Avenida Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Patricia Calvo Magro
- Área de Vegetales, Instituto Tecnológico Agroalimentario de Extremadura, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura, Avenida Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - María Reguera Blázquez
- Departamento de Biología, Campus de Cantoblanco, c/Darwin 2, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isaac Maestro-Gaitán
- Departamento de Biología, Campus de Cantoblanco, c/Darwin 2, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - F M Sánchez Iñiguez
- Área de Vegetales, Instituto Tecnológico Agroalimentario de Extremadura, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura, Avenida Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Verónica Cruz Sobrado
- Centro de Investigación Finca La Orden-Valdesequera, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura, Autovía Madrid-Lisboa s/n, 06187 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Matías Prieto
- Centro de Investigación Finca La Orden-Valdesequera, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura, Autovía Madrid-Lisboa s/n, 06187 Badajoz, Spain
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