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This study explored the diversity of the quinoa crop in Chile from a nutritional perspective. Nutritional properties, minerals,
vitamins, and saponin content were assessed in seeds of six Chilean quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) ecotypes grown
in three main production areas with distinctive climatic and edaphic conditions: Ancovinto and Cancosa in the North-
Altiplano or High Plateau, Chuil and Faro in the central coastal area, and Regalona and Villarrica in the south of the country.
There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in all the nutritional properties of the quinoa seeds in all three areas. Quinoa
of the Villarrica ecotype showed the highest protein content (16.10 g 100 g-1 DM) and the highest content of vitamins E and
C (4.644 0.240 and 23.065 1.119 mg 100 g-1 DM, respectively). The highest content of vitamins B1 (0.648 0.006 mg
100 g-1 DM) and B3 (1.569 0.026 mg 100 g-1 DM) was found in the Regalona ecotype, while the highest value of vitamin
B2 (0.081 0.002 mg 100 g-1 DM) occurred in the Ancovinto ecotype. Potassium was the most abundant mineral with a
maximum value of 2325.56 mg 100 g-1 DM in the Cancosa ecotype. Saponin content varied from 0.84 g 100 g-1 DM in the
Villarrica ecotype to 3.91 g 100 g-1 DM in the Chuil ecotype. Significant differences were found among the Chilean quinoa
ecotypes grown under different climatic conditions; however, all the quinoa seeds exhibited a high nutritional value. These
results are compatible with the genetic differences previously observed in the three geographical areas under study. Thus, if
more studies are conducted to show the particular properties of quinoa from specific areas, it would be possible in the future
to coin the term controlled designation of origin (appellation dorigine contrle) and add commercial value to Chilean
quinoa seeds in the domestic and international markets.
Table 2. Water activity, pH, and acidity of six quinoa ecotypes from three geographical areas of Chile.
Geographical areas
North Center South
Ancovinto Cancosa Chuil Faro Regalona Villarrica
aw1 0.249 0.002a 0.254 0.001a 0.465 0.006b 0.449 0.016c 0.541 0.009d 0.498 0.004e
pH1 6.40 0.02a 6.29 0.02b 6.33 0.02c 6.18 0.02d 6.36 0.02ce 6.38 0.01ae
Acidity2 0.37 0.04ac 0.28 0.03b 0.35 0.01a 0.37 0.01ac 0.41 0.03c 0.35 0.03a
1
Dimensionless; 2g H2SO4 100 g-1 wet basis. Values are expressed as mean standard deviation (n = 3). Different letters indicate significant differences among ecotypes (P < 0.05).
Table 3. Mineral content of six quinoa ecotypes from three geographical areas of Chile.
Geographical areas
North Center South
Ancovinto Cancosa Chuil Faro Regalona Villarrica
Ca 77.10 2.25a 105.01 4.56b 120.33 1.55c 121.39 3.74c 118.08 5.93c 211.29 0.35d
Mg 152.31 0.44a 150.91 0.54a 160.55 0.72b 166.74 0.22c 155.77 1.36d 160.44 0.19bd
Na < 0.01 0.00a < 0.01 0.00a 18.46 11.68b 17.14 0.70b 19.58 3.19b 23.41 1.08b
K 2 188.54 0.67a 2 325.56 12.22a 1 672.79 0.56b 1 774.43 11.89b 2 038.42 10.88c 2 243.99 37.49ac
Fe 6.91 0.31a 7.19 0.15a 5.06 0.03b 5.84 0.08c 7.03 0.26a 4.82 0.28b
Cu 1.52 0.20a 0.75 0.00b 0.86 0.04ab 0.89 0.02ab 0.95 0.02ab 0.89 0.02b
Mn 2.39 0.02a 2.36 0.02a 6.47 0.17b 5.73 0.08c 4.67 0.15d 2.76 0.19e
Zn 3.75 0.22a 3.10 0.03b 4.02 0.17a 2.73 0.01a 4.65 0.06c 5.01 0.38d
P 526.36 3.79a 434.65 14.27b 409.92 8.42b 480.96 2.62c 3 53.53 10.88d 2 85.06 65.81e
All data are expressed as mg 100 g-1 DM. Values are expressed as mean standard deviation (n = 3). Different letters indicate significant differences among ecotypes (P < 0.05).
with significant differences (P < 0.05) compared with the values from 0.344 to 0.369 mg 100 g-1 DM for barley.
rest of the ecotypes. The Faro ecotype had significantly Vitamin B2 values are much lower than those reported
lower vitamin C content than the other ecotypes. The by Koziol (1992) and Ruales and Nair (1993) with 0.39
variations among ecotypes for vitamin C content are due mg to 0.2 mg 100 g-1 DM. Vitamin B3 (niacin) supply is
to the biological diversity of quinoa ecotypes in Chile. low on quinoa ecotypes, even lower than those reported
According to Jimnez et al. (2009), variations can be by Lebiedziska and Szefer (2006) on brown rice and
attributed to genetic or environmental growth conditions. barley with 4.36 and 4.07 mg 100 g-1 DM, respectively.
Lee and Kader (2000) reported that some citrus fruit Koziol (1992) reported 1.06 mg 100 g-1 DM for quinoa
contained more vitamin C when grown under cool B3 content. Batifoulier et al. (2006) reported significant
temperatures rather than hot temperatures. The vitamin C differences in vitamin B contents in wheat due to variety,
content found in this investigation was similar to other growing location (for thiamine and riboflavin), soil type,
data reported by Ruales and Nair (1993) for quinoa seed and years (for thiamine and pyridoxine).
(16.4 mg AA 100 g-1 DM) and Dini et al. (2010), who Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant that acts as a free
worked with quinoa from Ecuador and Peru (13.0 and scavenger by preventing the oxidation of polyunsaturated
12.0 mg AA 100 g-1 DM, respectively). Lower values lipids by free radicals such as the hydroxyl radical OH
of vitamin C have also been reported in the literature by (Fardet et al., 2008). As shown in Table 4, quinoa vitamin
Koziol (1992) (4 to 5 mg AA 100 g-1 DM). Vitamin C E values ranged from 2.44 to 4.64 mg 100 g-1 DM with
losses increase with extended storage, higher temperature, the Villarrica ecotypes showing the highest value. Similar
low relative humidity, physical damage, chilling injury, levels of vitamin E were reported by Koziol (1992) for
large genotypic variation, and climatic conditions; all quinoa with 5.37 mg 100 g-1 DM, while wheat, rice and
these factors are responsible for the wide variation in barley had lower values (1.15 mg, 0.18 mg, and 0.35 mg
vitamin C content (Lee and Kader, 2000; Dumas et al., 100 g-1 DM, respectively).
2003; Xu et al., 2008). Wall (2006), in his work with fruit Figure 1 shows that the saponin content was
ecotypes grown in Hawaii, commented that ascorbic acid significantly different (P < 0.05) among quinoa ecotypes;
levels in fruit are influenced by the availability of light to it ranged from 0.84% to 3.91% DM for the Villarrica and
the crop and to individual fruits. In addition, an excess of Chuil ecotypes, respectively. Analysis of saponin content
soil N or P tends to decrease ascorbic acid content in fruit, in quinoa ecotypes indicates that variability among
while an excess of K could increase vitamin C content. ecotypes is important. Nevertheless, abrasive procedures
The B-group vitamins are water-soluble molecules and to remove saponin might cause nutrient losses such as Ca,
play an important metabolizing role, particularly in the but they have no effects on P, K, and Mg localized in the
metabolism of carbohydrates (thiamine or B1), proteins, seed embryo or on some vitamins because they are found
and fats (riboflavin or B2, and pyridoxine). Table 4 shows
vitamin B1, B2, and B3 contents in the quinoa ecotypes.
Vitamin B1 content was the highest in the Regalona seeds
(hybrid variety) probably because of a generally better soil
quality in southern Chile and with higher organic matter
content as compared with soils of the drier northern areas,
which is a typical condition of arid zones (Fernndez-
Cirelli et al., 2009). There were no significant differences
(P > 0.05) in vitamin B1 content between central area
ecotypes. Vitamin B1 content is comparable to values of
0.38 mg 100 g-1 DM by Koziol (1992) and 0.4 mg 100 g-1
DM by Ruales and Nair (1993). Batifoulier et al. (2006)
reported values for vitamin B1 that ranged from 0.259 to Distinct letters over the bars indicate differences according to Fishers test (P < 0.05).
0.613 mg 100 g-1 DM for 49 northwestern European wheat Figure 1. Saponin content of six quinoa ecotypes from three geographical
ecotypes, while Lebiedziska and Szefer (2006) reported areas of Chile.