Potential antioxidant and chemical composition of peanut cultivars adapted to semiarid environments

Abstract

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a grain much appreciated worldwide and has high economic importance. It is grown in more than hundred countries and is the fourth most produced oilseed in the world. It stands out because it contains fatty acids and essential amino acids, good relationship between unsaturated and saturated oil, vitamins and bioactive compounds. It is also a source of phenolic compounds such as stilbenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids and also tocopherols, both known to have antioxidant activity. This feature makes the peanut an important food to be included in the diet to prevent chronic diseases, which, in most cases, are correlated to oxidative stress. In Brazil, to meet the demand of farmers located in the Zona da Mata, Agreste and Northeastern Sertão, most populated arid area in the world, the Embrapa established a peanut breeding program, in order to focus on the development of early cultivars, productive and adapted to semi-arid. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the chemical composition of peanuts cultivars improved by Embrapa, to associate the water stress tolerance with the antioxidant activity. (AU)