Nutritional value of grain and leafy Amaranth varieties grown in Tanzania

Amaranth leaves and seeds are highly nutritious, but less is clearly known for the varieties grown in Tanzania. Grains, (dry fresh) flower part of amaranth were analyzed minerals (iron, zinc, copper manganese), proximate (crude protein, crude fat, fibre carbohydrate) anti-nutrients (nitrate oxalate) content. Minerals significantly higher (p<0.05) fresh leafy performing 75.89 mg/100 g, 3.284 g 34.869 Amaranthus hypochondriacus (Nafaka), A. (Lishe njano) dubius (White local) respectively, with iron being dried (284.384 mg/1000 g) (Bwasi jekundu). Protein, Fat Fibre content grains amaranths indicating Crude protein (15.787%) cruentus kijani), (13.040% 13.163%) White local Bwasi jekundu respectively that not different (p>0.05) (9.273%) jekundu. Total Carbohydrate (78.743%) kijani. Anti-nutrient contents compared to leaf varieties, grain flowers. Oxalate ranging from 378.5 360.3 within nitrate (137.06 μg/g) hybridus nyeupe) fresh, flower. appears be best variety as have highest iron, since micronutrients more significance vegetables than macro nutrients.