Identification and quantification of even and odd chained 5-n alkylresorcinols, branched chain-alkylresorcinols and methylalkylresorcinols in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

- Forty alkylresorcinols (AR) detected and measured in quinoa for the first time.
- Novel even-chain AR, branched-chain AR and methyl AR identified.
- The profile of quinoa AR reflects their geographic origin.
- Quinoa AR detected in human plasma after eating quinoa.

Quinoa is a pseudocereal grown in the Andean region of South America that is of increasing interest worldwide as an alternative staple food. We have detected a complex mixture of both odd- and even-alkyl chain alkylresorcinols (AR), branched-chain alkylresorcinols (bcAR) and methylalkylresorcinols (mAR) in ethyl acetate extracts of quinoa. We quantified the content of AR in 17 commercial samples of quinoa, and found that the mean ± SD content of AR was 58 ± 16 μg/g, bcAR was 182 ± 52 μg/g, and mAR was 136 ± 40 μg/g. AR from quinoa could also be detected in plasma after eating quinoa, indicating that some of these unique AR could be used as biomarkers of quinoa intake in humans. Further work is required to understand the role of these ARs in the quinoa plant and whether any of the novel ARs may be of particular interest in human nutrition.