[Chemical composition of 2 wild vegetable species compared with chard]

The nutritional quality of two wild vegetable species, Kochia scoparia (Ks) and Chenopodium album (Cha) was evaluated and compared with Beta vulgaris var. cicla(chard) (Bv), in order to propose their domestication as alternative protein sources. Chemical percentual analysis (AOAC), gaseous chromatography fatty acid determination, and antinutrient searching (by chemical, enzymatic and immunological method) were performed. Protein quality was determined by the following indexes: net protein utilization (NPU), true digestibility (tD) and biological value (BV). The three species exhibited similar protein concentration values, 25.8, 25.0 and 22.1 g/100 g for Ks, Cha and Bv, respectively. Kochia scoparia showed the highest value for fatty acid analysis (82%), with predominance of linolenic acid. Since the samples were subjected to boiling, the amounts of antinutrients found can be considered to be within levels not affecting health. As regards the biological quality, the obtained values for Ks, Cha and Bv, respectively, were: NPU: 68.0 +/- 0.4, 55.0 +/- 6.1 and 56.0 +/- 4.2; tD 70.0 +/- 0.7, 71.0 +/- 4.0 and 76.0 +/- 8.2; BV: 97, 77 and 74. The analysis of the biological quality indexes gave highest nitrogen profit for Ks. These results indicate that Kochia scoparia is suitable for the objective proposed.