The effects of heat treatments on the physicochemical properties and in vitro biological activities of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) were investigated. Quinoa grains were subjected to two different heat treatment methods: boiling and steaming plus roasting (steaming/roasting). Compared with raw quinoa, boiled quinoa samples had slightly lower crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and starch contents. However, steaming/roasting treatment did not cause significant differences in proximate composition. Heat treatments reduced total phenolic and flavonoid contents in quinoa extracts, and higher reduction was detected upon boiling treatment. Heat treatments also reduced lightness and increased yellowness of quinoa samples. Heat treatments increased water absorption index but decreased water solubility index. In vitro starch hydrolysis increased substantially after both heat treatments, and slightly higher values were observed in the boiled quinoa samples. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity and nitrite scavenging activity were reduced by heat treatments, and the boiled quinoa sample showed the lowest activity likely due to loss of activities in cooking water.

Keywords: quinoa, heat treatment, physicochemical properties, biological activities