Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis): A seed source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity

Fatty acids (FA), phytosterols, tocopherols, phenolic compounds, total carotenoids and hydrophilic and lipophilic ORAC antioxidant capacities were evaluated in 16 cultivars of Sacha inchi (SI) seeds with the aim to valorise them and offer more information on the functional properties of SI seeds; A high a linolenic (alpha-Ln) fatty acid content was found in all cultivars (omega 3, 12.8-16.0 g/100 g seed), followed by linoleic (L) fatty acid (omega 6, 12.4-14.1 g/100 g seed). The ratio omega 6/omega 3 was within the 0.83-1.09 range. gamma- and delta-tocopherols were the most important tocopherols, whereas the most representative phytosterols were (beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Contents of total phenolics, total carotenoids and hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacities ranged from 64.6 to 80 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g seed; from 0.07 to 0.09 mg of beta-carotene equivalent/100 g of seed; from 4.3 to 7.3 and, from 1.0 to 2.8 mu mol of Trolox equivalent/g of seed, respectively, among the evaluated SI cultivars. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the evaluated SI cultivars in the contents of omega 3, omega 6, antioxidant capacities and other evaluated phytochemicals. SI seeds should be considered as an important dietary source of health promoting phytochemicals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.