abstract
Fatty acids (FA), phytosterols, tocopherols, phenolic compounds, total carotenoids and hydrophilic and
lipophilic ORAC antioxidant capacities were evaluated in 16 cultivars of Sacha inchi (SI) seeds with the
aim to valorise them and offer more information on the functional properties of SI seeds. A high a lino-
lenic (a-Ln) fatty acid content was found in all cultivars (x3, 12.8–16.0 g/100 g seed), followed by linoleic
(L) fatty acid (x6, 12.4–14.1 g/100 g seed). The ratio x6/x3 was within the 0.83–1.09 range. c- and d-toc-
opherols were the most important tocopherols, whereas the most representative phytosterols were b-
sitosterol and stigmasterol. Contents of total phenolics, total carotenoids and hydrophilic and lipophilic
antioxidant capacities ranged from 64.6 to 80 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g seed; from 0.07 to
0.09 mg of b-carotene equivalent/100 g of seed; from 4.3 to 7.3 and, from 1.0 to 2.8 lmol of Trolox equiv-
alent/g of seed, respectively, among the evaluated SI cultivars. Results showed significant differences
(p < 0.05) among the evaluated SI cultivars in the contents of x3, x6, antioxidant capacities and other
evaluated phytochemicals. SI seeds should be considered as an important dietary source of health pro-
moting phytochemicals.