Endogenous increase of proline in Amaranthus hybridus L. leaves by sun drying
Main Article Content
Keywords
Proline, Amaranthus hybridus, secondary metabolites, antioxi-dants, stress
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the production of proline in quelite leaves (Amaranthus hybridus L.), by sun drying.
Design/methodology/approach: Quelite plants were collected in Salvatierra, Guanajuato, defoliated and the leaves were exposed to two drying conditions, one part directly in the sun and the other in the shade, for 5 days. They were ground and 24 grams were used to make aqueous extracts, using a homemade percolator brand ®T-fal model Heliora. In each extract, the proline content was determined using the Bates technique developed in 1973.
Results: Statistically significant differences were found by ANOVA and Tukey test, where sun drying was the best treatment compared to shade drying, with 34.34 y 31.60 mg/L de proline, respectively.
Limitations on study/implications: Quelite plants were collected exclusively from non-cultivated sites, it is recommended to make the comparison in other growth scenarios.
Findings/conclusions: It is concluded that the sun drying technique is a reference for increasing endogenous proline in quelite plants, having an alternative in the form of use and quality, as an input, in the form of flour or extract, for nutritional or nutraceutical purposes.