Hypolipidemic activity of an ethanolic extract of quinoa seeds in Triton X-100-induced hyperlipidemic rats

Beverage Combination of Pomegranate Juice and Quinoa Extract Ameliorates Lipid Profile in Rat Study

Effect of fruit and cereal grain-based beverage studies on the lipid profile are limited. Pomegranate fruit and quinoa grains are known for their abundance of polyphenols with several health beneficial effects. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of oral administration of beverage containing pomegranate juice and quinoa seed extract in obese rats. Different beverage combinations of pomegranate juice and quinoa extracts were formulated and screened by sensory evaluation. The selected beverage product containing 80% pomegranate juice and 20% quinoa extract maintained at 15° Bx was evaluated for its effect on the serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) among the experimental rats. Administration of 5 and 10 mL of beverage product reduced the cholesterol and triglycerides levels ranging between 18.65 and 19.54 and 16.51 to 17.02%, respectively. Similarly, VLDL and LDL were reduced in the obese rats fed with beverage product ranging between 12.93 and 14.69 and 13.66 to 14.64%, respectively. There was increment of 18-20% in the HDL content by administration of the beverage product in obese rats. The impact of the formulated beverage was found to have significant effect on the lipid profile, which can be utilized as a functional food beverage.

Nutrient composition, functional activity and industrial applications of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Quinoa is one of the gluten-free crops that has attracted considerable interest. Quinoa contains functional ingredients such as bioactive peptides, polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and other compounds. It is very important to determine efficient methods to identify such functional ingredients, and to explain their possible health benefits in humans. In this review, the chemical structure and biological activity mechanisms of quinoa nutrient composition have been elaborated. In addition, the development of quinoa-based functional foods and feed is emerging, providing a reference for the development of functional products with quinoa as an ingredient that are beneficial to health. The active ingredients in quinoa have different health effects including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities. Further exploration is also needed to improve the application of quinoa within the functional food industry, and in the areas of feed, medicine and cosmetics.