Comparison of Growth Characteristics and Functional Properities of Amaranthus Species According to the Different Varieties in South Korea.

Comparison of growth characteristics and functional properties of Amaranthus species according to the different varieties in South Korea Su-young Hong, Yong-ik Jin, Young-ho Yoon, Su-jeong Kim, Jeong-hwan Nam, Kwang-soo Cho, Jin-cheol Jeong Highland Agriculture Research Center, NICS, RDA, Pyeongchang 232-955, Korea The purpose of this study were to assess the growth characteristics, yield antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds contents among Amaranth species in Korea. Collected Amaranth species were grown in Daegwallyeong that is 800meters above sea level sowed 29th May. The average temperature from seeding to harvesting time was 17.0 กษ, and total precipitation was 844.9 ml, We tested chemical properties of soil used in the experimental field, pH level was 5.9, EC(electrical conductivity) was 0.05 dS m-1, available phosphate was 137.1 mg kg-1, and organic matter was 23.5 g kg-1. Heights of the plants were 117 ~ 138 cm, and stem thickness were 19 ~ 25 mm. The maturing dates were from August 27 to September 2. Ear length ranged from 59.8 cm to 70.5 cm and ear width was from 16.3 cm to 17.5 cm. 1,000 seeds weight was investigated, among them A7 was most light (0.45 g), and the others were ranged 0.71 ~ 0.76 g. The highest yield was A8 (198.9 kg/10a). Yield of the investigated Amaranth species decreased in the following order : A8, A6, A7 and A5. Free amino acids contents were compared with rice. The contents flowing free amino acids (L- aspartic acid, L-glumamic acid, L-lysine, L-histidine and L-arginine) were higher than rice. In DPPH(diphenyl picrydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, A7 amaranth activity was more higher than that of other species. The total amount of phenolic compounds varied from 1,006 ug g-1 to 1,721 ug g-1 in seed. Key words : Amaranth, DPPH, Phenolic compound, Amino acid TEL. +82-33-330-1840, FAX +82-33-330-1519 E-mail: suyoung@korea.kr