Pseudocereals: Production, Processing, and Nutrition provides an overview of the chemistry, processing, and technology of pseudocereals which have become super grains. The cultivation of pseudocereals has spread to over 70 different countries due to their attractive nutritional properties and for food security. This book discusses necessary information on different pseudocereals as well as practical information on cultivation procedures, equipment, food processing using pseudocereals and the use of by-products for bioactive compound extraction. It addresses concerns regarding globalization, food security, climate change and the needs of underdeveloped or developing countries. Key Features: Covers both common as well as less exploited pseudocereals Explains the grain structure and engineering properties of different pseudocereals Studies the effect of food processing on the bioactivity and nutritional value of pseudocereals and their products

Although they are neither technically classified as grasses nor as actual cereal grains, pseudocereals are plants that yield fruits or seeds that are utilized and consumed like grains. Pseudocereals are complete grains that are usually high in protein and free of gluten. Supposedly many of the “ancient grains” are actually pseudocereals. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has also noted that pseudocereals greatly improve health and nutrition, as well as an individual’s food supply and standard of living, all of which can contribute to future food security and sustainability. Their protein-derived peptides have been shown in previous investigations to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancerous, and hypocholesterolemic qualities. Because pseudocereals have these intriguing qualities, more research is required to determine how best to incorporate them into the diet and what health benefits they may offer, which is exactly what this book is about. It provides essential information to scientific and non-scientific communities alike to keep interest in pseudocereals alive for the overall health and wellness of the planet.

The aim of this book is to update knowledge and summarise recent research on pseudocereals, particularly regarding their botanical characteristics, composition, structure, use, production, technology and impact on human health. In the last few years, pseudocereals – in particular amaranth and quinoa – have acquired increased importance (which is also due to the increased demand for gluten ]free food). Worldwide, the demand for amaranth and quinoa has risen immensely, as seen in rising prices for amaranth and quinoa. At the same time, research in all relevant fields has intensified. At present there is some confusion surrounding the term ‘pseudocereals’ and what it does and does not include, for example kiwicha which is Amaranthus caudatus or kaniwa which is Chenopodium pallidicaule. Sometimes other grains are included in the pseudocereal group like chia (Salvia hispanica L), an oleaginous seed. One of the aims of the book is to clear up some of the confusion over what is included in the group of pseudocereals. The book will include: the origin, production and utilization of pseudocereals; structure and composition of kernels; carbohydrates/fibre/bioactive compounds of kernels; proteins and amino acids of kernels; lipids of kernels; pseudocereal dry and wet milling: processes, products and applications; food uses of whole pseudocereals; pseudocereals in gluten free products; and the nutritional and health implications of pseudocereal intake.

Developing Sustainable and Health Promoting Cereals and Pseudocereals: Conventional and Molecular Breeding reviews the most recent developments in the fields of cereal and pseudocereal breeding, with particular emphasis on the latest biotechnological techniques likely to lead to breakthrough changes in plant breeding. The book provides comprehensive information on the use of genetic resources or pre-breeding activities to improve health-related properties of cereals and pseudocereals. The text also explores targeted field-management practices and the latest in biotechnological methodologies, and offers a cohesive overview necessary for understanding the potential impacts and benefits of improved production of cereals and pseudocereals with high-nutritional value. Includes coverage of cereals and pseudocereals in a single comprehensive volume Focuses on sustainable circular economy, including assurance of food safety, quality, and health benefits Examines breeding to attain robust cereal and pseudocereals with higher nutritional value and adapted to specific regions, climate change, and global warming

This book, written by leading grain scientists from Europe and Africa, examines six grains that have been important food crops in various parts of the world and have the potential for much greater and more widespread use. The authors discss the chemistry, nutritional value, food processing technologies and potential applications of three true cereals: sorghum, spelt wheat and the major millet species, and three dicotyledonous pseudocereals: grain amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa. The text is of considerable importance in light of the fact that just three cereal grains account for more than 75% of all grains produced worldwide.

Millets and Pseudo Cereals is the first comprehensive resource to focus on the potential crop improvements through genetic enhancements. The choice of food crop for a region is primarily determined by the conditions of climate and soil. Once labelled as orphan crops, millets and pseudo-cereals are now known as miracle grains due to their adaptation to harsh conditions and high nutritional quality. Small millets and pseudo-cereals are now seen to occupy special niches through their ability to adapt to challenging conditions. These crops have a comparative advantage in marginal lands where they withstand stress conditions and contribute to sustainable production. They also contribute to the diversity-richness and production stability of agro-ecosystems. Millets include sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, barnyard millet, little millet and kodo millet while the other group which are not cereals but consumed as cereals and generally referred as pseudo-cereals comprises of grain amaranths, buckwheat and chenopods. Millets and Pseudo Cereals presents current information on the genetic architecture of important economic traits and the genomic resources for gene enabled breeding. This compilation contains information on the global status, available germplasm resources, nutritional value, breeding advancements, genomics applications and sustainability of agriculture through millets and pseudo-cereals cultivation. This book is a valuable resource for those conducting research and exploring new areas for advancing crop genetic understanding. Explores the current challenges of pseudo-cereal production and how that can be overcome by developing genetic and breeding resources using appropriate germplasm Provides holistic information on millets and pseudo-cereals Features global perspectives from an international contributing team of authors

This book, written by leading grain scientists from Europe and Africa, examines six grains that have been important food crops in various parts of the world and have the potential for much greater and more widespread use. The authors discss the chemistry, nutritional value, food processing technologies and potential applications of three true cereals: sorghum, spelt wheat and the major millet species, and three dicotyledonous pseudocereals: grain amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa. The text is of considerable importance in light of the fact that just three cereal grains account for more than 75% of all grains produced worldwide.