N.M.A. Nassar, P.C. Fernandes, R.D. Melani, O.R. Pires Júnior
Published: August 25, 2009
Genet. Mol. Res. 8 (3) : 1051-1055
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-3gmr625
Cite this Article:
N.M.A. Nassar, P.C. Fernandes, R.D. Melani, O.R.Pires Júnior (2009). Amarelinha do Amapá: a carotenoid-rich cassava cultivar. Genet. Mol. Res. 8(3): 1051-1055. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-3gmr625
About the Authors
N.M.A. Nassar, P.C. Fernandes, R.D. Melani, O.R. Pires Júnior
Corresponding Author
N.M.A. Nassar
E-mail: nagnassa@rudah.com.br
ABSTRACT
Eight cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars, of which four are indigenous to the Amazon region, along with an interspecific hybrid, were assessed for their carotenoid content. They were propagated and are maintained in the living Manihot collection at the University of Brasília. The cultivar “Amarelinha do Amapá”, which was collected from the State of Amapá, was found to have a very high content of b-carotene: 27 mg per 100 g, which is more than 50-fold higher than in other cassava cultivars. This cultivar, which also has excellent palatability, could be an important source of b-carotene for cassava breeding.
Key words: Domestication, Genetic diversity, b-carotene, Indigenous cultivars, Palatability, Vitamin A.