Determination of Yielding Ability, Free Radical Scavenging Activity, Protein and Carotenoid Contents of Selected Genotypes of Amaranthus tricolor

摘要

Identification of new leafy vegetable varieties with high yield potential and nutritional components is one of the priority areas of the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. As a part of this activity, yield potential, nutritional values and antioxidant properties of promising accessions of Amaranthus tricolor were studied with the aim of selecting better varieties. A series of experiments were carried out using three new genotypes namely DOA red, Pure green and Diyapalagoda along with the recommended variety, DOA green. Yield potential was determined by evaluating growth and yield parameters. Comparison of protein levels of harvested leaves was done by Kjeldahl method. Carotenoid, anthocyanin, chlorophyll levels and the antioxidant activity of the leaves of four genotypes at harvest was determined based on UV-spectrophotometric method. Genotype Pure green exhibited good growth and yield performance, wide adaptability and higher amount of carotenoids. Hence it can be recommended for commercial cultivation. The faster growth of genotype Diyapalagoda indicated its suitability for home garden cultivation. DOA red exhibited higher amount of chlorophylls, and anthocyanin and the greatest antioxidant activity,. DOA green contains the highest percentage of crude protein.