Probl Hig Epidemiol 2018, 99(1): 82-87pl

Nutritious value of selected food products with amaranth addition

Renata Klebaniuk ^1/, Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev ^2/, Bożena Kiczorowska ^2/, Eugeniusz R. Grela ^1/, Anna Winiarska-Mieczan ^1/, Wioleta Samolińska ^1/, Małgorzata Kwiecień ^2/, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ^2/, Elżbieta Rusinek-Prystupa ^3/, Piotr Jarzyna ^2/

1/ Zakład Bromatologii i Fizjologii Żywienia, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie
2/ Instytut Żywienia Zwierząt i Bromatologii, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie
3/ Katedra Biochemii i Toksykologii, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie

Summary
Introduction. Currently, amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) is widely used in food industry to increase the protein content of the diet or to enrich the products with minerals to improve their nutritional value.
Aim. To evaluate the nutritional value of selected raw materials, intermediate products and food products containing Amaranthus cruentus available on the Polish market.
Material & method. The research material covered amaranth seeds, amaranth flour, amaranth-spelt bread, amaranth and raspberry muesli, and different snacks or cookies containing amaranth (amaranth-spelt wafers, sesame-amaranth snacks, amaranth pretzels, amaranth EKO cookies). The samples of the purchased products were analyzed for the basic ingredient content. The carbohydrate content and energy value was calculated. In addition, the content of selected mineral components was determined. The obtained results were analyzed statistically.
Results. Among the analyzed products, the amaranth-spelt wafers can be recommended as a good snack during the day as they have proven to be an excellent low-calorie source of easily digestible carbohydrates. Sesame-amaranth snacks, containing significant amounts of high bioavailable protein and fat with a high fiber content, can be a perfect component of the diet. The analysis of the nutritional value of amaranth and raspberry muesli showed that this product, in combination with milk or yoghurt, could be a tasty and nutritious meal. Amaranth cookies (sesame-amaranth snacks, amaranth pretzels, amaranth EKO cookies) can successfully replace traditional cakes and cookies. These products have a higher nutritional value and are not inferior in quality and taste to the analogical sweets.
Conclusion. The information on the manufacturers´ packaging and labels does not fully reflect the nutritional and dietary value of the analyzed products, moreover, it often differs from the results achieved in our study. However, the amaranth-containing products can be a valuable source of nutrients and improve the diversity of the diet.

Key words:  Amaranth, food, nutrients