Abstract:
Malnutrition is a major problem in Kenya affecting about 50% of the population.
Utilization of nutritious food crops of African origin in mitigating malnutrition has
been hindered by production and farming practices. Amaranth is one of the
underutilized but nutritious food crops. Despite the large genetic diversity of the
amaranth species grown in Kenya, there is inadequate information on their
nutritional differences and how they can be tapped in mitigating hidden hunger. The
current study aimed at determining the nutritional diversity of the most common
amaranth species grown in Kenya. A baseline survey was conducted in Bondo,
Kieni East, Lugari, Luanda and Sabatia regions of Kenya to identify the most
popular amaranth varieties. Five of the most popular varieties namely; A. dubius, A.
hybridus, A. cruentus, A. albus and A. hypochondriacus were selected and planted
in the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology experimental farm
under the same agronomic conditions. Leaves from the 5 varieties were harvested at
4-6 weeks after planting. The samples were analyzed for their proximate
composition, vitamin C, β carotene, antinutrient and phytochemical content. The
samples were subjected to blanching (80
o
C for 3 minutes and 65
o
C for 25 minutes)
prior to solar-drying. The effect of processing on vitamin C and β carotene was
determined. The protein (3.37%), zinc (1.67mg/100g), β carotene (23.66mg/100g)
and total phenolics (3.59GAE/100mg) content, were significantly (p<0.05) high in
A. cruentus than in the other species. The, calcium (336.47mg/100g) and iron
(18.64mg/100g) content were significantly (p<0.05) higher in A.dubius than in the
other species. The antinutrient content in all the species was not significantly different (p<0.05). Blanching at 80o C for 3 minutes prior to solar drying led to
better retention of vitamin C and β carotene than solar drying without prior
blanching. According to this study, the most nutritious amaranth species is A.
cruentus. .
