Comparison of the Nutritional Content of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Cultivated in South Korea and Peru

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional content of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivated in South Korea and Peru. Germplasm of quinoa was kindly provided by Peru in accordance with RDA-INIA collaboration subject Seven varieties('Salcedo Inia', 'Illpa-Inia', 'Inia 420-Negra Collana', 'Variedad Amarillo', 'Variedad Quillahuaman', 'Variedad Amarillo Marangani', 'Variedad Inia 427 Amarillo') that have been cultivated in South Korea. Quinoa varieties showed carbohydrate content of 69~74g/100g with an average of 72g/100g, fat content of 3.1~6.0g/100g with an average of 4.3g/100g, protein content of 13.6g/100g on an average,  with a range of 12~15g/100g, and crude saponin content of 21.52 to 41.40 with an average of 30.37mg/g. In addition, calcium, phosphorus, and iron contents were analyzed. Calcium content was in a range of 97.42~138.50mg/g with an average of 119.53mg/g, phosphorus was 1267.92mg/g in average, and iron content was 9.66mg/g in average.

We also analyzed the nutritional components of 4 quinoa varieties 'Variedad Quillahuaman', 'Blanca Junin', 'Variedad Amarillo Marangani', and 'Variedad Inia 427 Amarillo' cultivated in Peru. Quinoa varities showed carbohydrate on an average of 73g/100g, fat content, on an average 3.1g/100g, ranging 2.6~3.6g/100g, protein content was 13g/100g in average, and crude saponin content showed a range of 21.40~34.74mg/g with an average of 26.95mg/g. Also calcium content was about 90.01mg/g, phosporus of 1097.84mg/g, and iron content of 4.49mg/g on an average, with ‘Variedad Quillahuaman’ highest with 5.58mg/g.

Nutrient content of quinoa cultivated in South Korea were higher than that of quinoa varieties cultivated in Peru. Difference of nutrients between the two countries is estimated to be due to the nutrients in the cultivated soil.