AUMENTO DEL CONTENIDO PROTEICO DE UNA BEBIDA A BASE DE AMARANTO (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to increase the protein content of an amaranth drink (Amarantole) with different proteins sources (chickpea, pea, lacto serum, powdered milk and soybean milk). Different mixtures of Amarantole-protein mix were prepared in four proportions (80:20, 75:25, 70:30 and 60:40). The best mixtures were selected according to the increase in the protein content and its sensory characteristics assayed by using degree of liking, preference and ranking test. Chemical and mineral composition was determined according to the AOAC techniques. Protein quality was determined by the Protein Efficiency Ratio test (PER) and in vivo digestibility. Amarantole-lacto serum show the highest % cent in protein content (22.66%). The minerals more abundant in all the mixtures were Ca, K, Mg and Na. In general, all the mixtures presented highest values of PER (2.61 a 3.26) than the reference (casein PER=2.5) diet. Mixtures added of lactoserum and milk-lactoserum (88.19 y 86.0%) presented a similar digestibi- lity to the casein diet (91.28%). In conclusion, Amarantole-lactoserum mixture showed the best characteristics concerning protein content, digestibility and PER value.