Antinutritional substances in pseudocereals and their removal

Abstract

Antinutrients are compounds that, after binding to nutrients in food, prevent the digestion, absorption, or utilization of nutrients. Pseudograins contain certain antinutrients (phytic acid, saponins, condensed tannins, trypsin, and chymotrypsin inhibitors). Phytic acid and its salts, phytates, interfere with the absorption of metal ions in the digestive tract. Tannins inhibit the activi ty of α - glucosidase and α - amylase. Saponins reduce the bioavailability of zinc and iron. This chapter provides an overview and structures of antinutrients in amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat, and a proposal for methods for their removal or reduction.