Avenanthramides and nutritional components of four Mexican oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a cereal grain, its seeds are rich in nutrients, is consumed as whole grain with health benefits for humans due to its antioxidants, such as the avenanthramides (Avns). The contents of Avns 2c, 2f and 2p were evaluated by HPLC in groats and hulls of oat varieties Chihuahua, Cuauhtémoc, Karma and Avemex cultivated in Durango, México. The association of these Avns with protein, fat, crude fiber and ash of oat was also investigated. A 4×2 bifactorial design was used, with the number of varieties and groats or hulls as factors. Avns contents differed significantly (p≤0.05) among oat varieties, groats and hulls. Avemex groats had the highest concentrations of Avns: 3.6±0.7, 3.0±0.5 and 3.3±0.6 mg kg^-1 for 2c, 2f and 2p Avns. Avemex groats also had the highest protein content and Avns showed positive correlation with protein content indicating that Avns could be found in oat varieties with high protein content. Karma and Avemex had higher protein content with Avemex containing three times more Avns than other varieties.