Quinoa is a pseudocereal planted mainly in the Andes region. It has been described as an important source of highly digestible proteins with a balanced amino acid composition, and with a high level of lipids, mainly unsaturated fatty acids. It has attracted the attention of researchers due to its superior nutritional quality when compared to other cereals. The chemical characterization of the quinoa flakes was carried out by determining the moisture content, ash, lipids, fatty acid composition, proteins, amino-gram, fibers and their fractions, tocopherols, sodium, calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorous. The flakes presented high levels of protein, fibers, phosphorous and iron, when compared to current legislation. There was equilibrium in the amino acid balance and between the soluble and insoluble fibers. In the fatty acid composition, oleic acid, which is indispensable for health, stood out. From the results obtained in the analysis, one should explore the use of this pseudocereal in food products, aiming at adding nutritional value and producing foods which contribute to the well-being and health of the person.
Quinoa flakes; Chemical composition; Amino acids; Fatty acids; Tocopherols; Minerals
