The use of the amaranths as vegetables is developed in Burkina Faso. Most known are Amaranthus dubius Mart. Ex. Thell, Amaranthus graecizans L., Amaranthus hybridus L. and Amaranthus viridis L. A. hybridus is most used and abundantly cultivated, however the others are more or less wild. Theaim of the present study was to investigate the nutraceutical potentialities of fourAmaranthus species from Burkina Faso. The aqueous decoction extract of the four species contains the highest ofpolyphenols, flavonoids,flavonols and proteins contents. The aqueous decoction extracts were used for the evaluation of the antioxidant activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potentiality. The A. dubius showed the most potent antioxidant activity with a CE50 of 1.26±0.46, mgm2 the $-carotene bleaching method.A. hybridus showed the most potent antioxidant activity (66.99±1.65 :molAEAC/g) in the DPPH radical scavengingmethod. The aqueous extracts of the four speciesshowed weak inhibition of the xanthine oxidaseat the concentration of 200 :g/mL.The four Amaranthus species are rich in microelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) and carotenoids compounds. The antinutritionals factors were also quantified. The oxalate amount in these species is fairly high. The highest minerals contents and the antioxidant activity of the amaranths could explain theirlarge use by all the socioeconomic strata of the population.These plants would constitute a source of dietetic antioxidants.

Amaranthaceae, antioxidant activity, oxalate, phenolic and minerals content