ABSTRACT:
This research determined the nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and total phenolic compound content of sweet potato flour from different cultivars: Beauregard cv. sweet potato (BF) and the common sweet potato Brazlândia Rosada cv. (CF). Total lipids, proteins, moisture, carbohydrates, pH, titratable acidity, fiber, ash, iron, zinc, beta-carotene, vitamin A and determination of caloric value were analyzed. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds were also determined by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) methods. CF showed higher levels of carbohydrates, ash, fiber, pH and antioxidant activity by the ABTS method. Protein and zinc contents were similar between the two flours. BF had higher moisture content, caloric value, lipids, iron, DPPH radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity by the FRAP method, as well as total phenolic compounds, beta-carotene and vitamin A content. The data revealed good nutritional composition for both analyzed flours. The Beauregard flour can be highlightedregarding its higher beta-carotene and iron content. Moreover, the Beauregard sweet potato flour is a good source of provitamin A, in addition to being a source of fiber.
Key words:
sweet potato; flour; biofortification; nutritional value