Characteristics of Amaranth Samples by Grain Quality Indicators in the Conditions of the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose. The study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the grain quality of 10 amaranth accessions based on protein content, oil content, and fatty acid composition of the oil during 2024–2025, in order to identify promising sources of valuable biochemical traits for further breeding programs.
Methods. Protein and oil contents in amaranth seeds were determined using standard laboratory methods at the laboratory of the V.Ya. Yuriev Institute of Plant Breeding of NAAS. The fatty acid composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters in the laboratory of plant physiology and biochemistry at the same institute.
Statistical processing of the results was performed according to generally accepted methods of selection experiments: mean values, standard deviation, coefficient of variation were calculated, and one-way analysis of variance was conducted to assess the significance of differences between samples (p < 0.05). Data processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel.
Results. The average protein content over two years was 17.46% (range 15.64–20.00%, CV = 3.35%, LSD₀.₀₅ = 1.9%), and oil content averaged 7.99% (range 7.34–9.01%, CV = 15.35%, LSD₀.₀₅ = 2.2). The highest protein levels were recorded in accessions K-254 (18.48%), Vr 645 (18.20%), line h1-1 (18.60%), and the cultivar Ultra (18.12%). The highest oil content was observed in Vr 645 (9.01%) and the cultivar Kharkivskyi 1 (8.50%). Based on the combined assessment of protein and oil content, the most promising genotypes were Vr 645, K-254, Kharkivskyi 1, and line h1-1. The oil was characterized by a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (>70%), with predominance of linoleic acid (34.50–49.56%) and oleic acid (19.76–36.80%). Palmitic acid showed the greatest stability (CV 3.9–4.3%). Sources of the linoleic type included UJ5200189 (C18:2 >48%), while the oleic type was represented by the cultivar Kharkivskyi 1, K-260, and K-22 (C18:1 >35%).
Conclusions. The high nutritional value of amaranth grain as a source of high-quality plant protein and oil with a favorable lipid profile has been confirmed. The obtained data demonstrate the substantial potential of the selected accessions, which can serve as valuable sources of desirable traits for developing new high-quality amaranth varieties targeted at the production of functional food products and enhancing food security.