Abstract

Amaranthus hybridus is a vegetable which is eaten in Congo Brazzaville and in other countries.  Two varieties of A. hybridus seeds (var 1 and 2) were selected for this study. Average oil content varies between 11 and 14%. A. hybridus seeds are also rich in proteins (17%) and minerals. Red oils obtained have a high saponification value (130-190) and the iodine value is between 100 and 113. The quantity of unsaponifiable matter (5 - 7%) in these oils is important. The fatty acids composition gives the following average profile: 18: 2n-6 > 18: 1 n-9 > 16: 0 > 22: 6n-3 > 18: 0. A. hybridus seeds oils also have long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids such as DHA (5.63-21.46%) and the results indicated that the n−6/n−3 ratios were 1.48 to 5.63. The triacylglycerols analysis shows that oils extracted by Bligh and Dyer method contains 6 major TAGs in A. hybridus var1: LLnLn › OLL › POL. › OLL › PLL › LLL and Amaranthus hybridus var2: LLnLn › OLL › PLL › POL. › OLL › LLL. The A. hybridus seeds can be used as cattle food and baby complement food. These oils have nutritive and dietetic potentialities.

Key words: Amaranthus hybridus oil, Congo Brazzaville, TAG, chemical methods extraction.

Abbreviation

DHA, docosa hexaenoic acid; DSC, differential scanning calorimetry; FAME, fatty acid methyl ester; IV, iodine value; L, linoleic acid; Ln, linolenic acid; O, oleic acid; P, palmitic acid; PUFA, poly unsaturated fatty acid; PV, peroxide value; S, stearic acid; SFA, saturated fatty acid; SV, saponification value; TAG, triacylglycerol; and UFA, unsaturated fatty acid.