Nutritional distinction of Bolivian Quinoa Real compared to global varieties

Abstract

Quinoa is globally recognised for its nutritional value, and its production has recently expanded worldwide. However, Quinoa Real (Royal Quinoa), a landrace group grown exclusively in the Intersalar zone of Bolivia, stands out for its grain quality and adaptation to extreme environments, such as high altitude, high salinity, intense UV radiation, aridity, and temperature fluctuations. This study compares the nutritional composition of 13 well-established commercial quinoa samples from 9 countries, including Quinoa Real white, red, and black. Analyses covered granulometry, proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid profiles, vitamins, and minerals. Multivariate analyses (PCA and nMDS) revealed clear compositional distinctions for Quinoa Real, including higher levels of dietary fibre, ash, phytosterols, and essential minerals. It also exhibits a more favourable fatty-acid profile, higher levels of several vitamins, and a well-balanced essential amino acid profile. These results show that Quinoa Real is not only a nutritional outlier but also a valuable agrobiodiversity resource with implications for food security, functional foods, and sustainable production in the face of global dietary and environmental challenges.