Influence of contrasting environments on seed composition of two quinoa genotypes: nutritional and functional properties

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in Chile represents a source of germplasm with high nutritional value. However, there is little information available related to quinoa seed quality grown under contrasting environments. In this study we evaluated the changes on seed composition of seeds of two lowland/coastal quinoa genotypes grown under arid (Vicuna) and cold-temperate (Temuco) conditions in Chile. Results showed that in the case of 'Regalona Baer' and 'Villarrica' genotypes the arid location (with irrigation) led to a significant increase (P < 0.05) in grain yield (4.2 and 5.1 t ha(-1), respectively), soluble dietary fiber 916.8 +/- 0.4 and 28.9 +/- 2.1 g kg(-1) DM, respectively), vitamin B-3 (2.44 +/- 0.005 and 2.26 +/- 0.04 mg 100 g(-1) DM, respectively), saponins 93.22 +/- 0.38 mg 100 g(-1) DM, 'Regalona Baer'), phenolic compounds 919.2 +/- 5.48 and 31.92 +/- 1.14 mg gallic acid 100 g(-1) DM, respectively) and components of proximate analysis, except protein content. The cold-temperate climate (rainfed) affected positively seed size (2.22 +/- 0.17 mm 'Villarrica') and 1000 seed weight 93.08 +/- 0.08 and 3.29 +/- 0.08 g, respectively), as well as insoluble dietary fiber content (112.3 +/- 23.8 g kg(-1) DM, 'Regalona Baer'). Furthermore, vitamin C was higher in 'Regalona Baer' genotype at arid locality 931.22 +/- 4.2 mg 100 g(-1) DM), but much higher content was registered in 'Villarrica' genotype at cold-temperate climate 949.3 +/- 5.36 mg 100 g(-1) DM). The environment-induced relationship among variables and genotypes was consistent with principal component analysis (PCA). The arid region of Vicuna in Chile represents a potential area for quinoa cultivation for lowland/coastal quinoa genotypes, whose nutritional and functional features were affected positively, due to the much more stressing climatic conditions.