Centesimal composition and antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract from Phalris canariensis L. seeds

Among foods that contain natural antioxidants, seeds are an important source of food supply. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of canary seed. They performed the composition of the seeds and the aqueous extract according to the standards and methodologies of AOAC and Instituto Adolfo Lutz. GC-FID analyzed fatty acids. The methods used to evaluate the antioxidant activity were Folin-Ciocalteu, ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzotriasoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH radical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). The results obtained in the seeds of two lots (A and B) and in the aqueous extract were respectively moisture 10.31%; 9.50%; 78.21%, ash 6%; 5.30%; 1.74%, proteins 14.88%; 15.12%; 18.26%, lipids 5.38%; 5.17%; 2.07%, starch 50.54%; 48.04%; 3.79% and total fibers 18.88%; 17.29%; 0.70%. They expressed all data on a dry basis. I detected sixteen varieties of fatty acids in the aqueous extract of canary seed, the saturated being predominant, palmitic acid 12%, and among the unsaturated fatty acids they were: linoleic 53%, oleic 28%, and linolenic 3%. The antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of canary seed was evaluated, with the following results: Total phenolic compounds 280.15 ± 3.05μg EAG/g and Antioxidant Activity: ABTS 228.93 ± 2.25μg eqtrolox/g, DPPH 106.17 ± 6.69μg eqtrolox/g and ORAC 1177,37 ± 5,32μmoleqtrolox/g. Canary seed and its extract have nutritional potential, showing themselves to be sources of proteins, lipids, fibers, and starch, with a composition similar to some grains such as oats and wheat. It stands out among the grains about the high protein load, energy source (high proportion of starch), and having fiber and unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid. The data on the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of canary seed has lower potential when compared to other foods and also to other seeds, showing levels compatible with matrices such as rice and barley.