Antioxidant Activity of the Germinated Seed of Four Varieties of Amaranthus caudatus L. From Peru

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of four varieties of germinated seeds of Centenario, Cristalino, Oscar Blanco and Taray of Amaranthus caudatus L. compared to non-germinated seeds. Material and Methods: The determination of total phenols was carried out by using Folin-Ciocalteu, total flavonoids by the method of aluminum chloride and the antioxidant activity by the methods of DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Results: Cristalino variety had the highest germination (3.0 cm of height) and all varieties had a 50% germination rate. Cristalino and Taray varieties had the highest content of total phenolics (GAE 32.92 and 35.00 mg/g sample), Cristalino variety had higher content of flavonoids (580.95 mg QE/g) (P < 0.05); Cristalino and Taray varieties showed greater scavenging activity of DPPH radical (151.85 and 151.38 mg TE/g sample), ABTS (178.09 and 180.18 mg TE/g sample); and reducing capacity of the ferric ion (FRAP) (132.75 and 136.42 mg TE/g of sample). Conclusion: Sprouts of Cristalino and Taray varieties had higher antioxidant activity than non-germinated seeds and they are directly related to higher content of total phenols and flavonoids.