Realizing the potential of grain amaranth

Kauffman, Charles S.

doi:10.1080/87559129209540927

Cited by 36 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The high nutritional value of both seeds and leaves, and the recent interest for this crop -that may provide high-quality protein, unsaturated oil, and various other valuable constituents -support the use of species from this genus as oilseed crops for specialty oils production, all over the world (Kauffman, 1992;Venskutonis and Kraujalis, 2013). In fact, the seed oil is characterised by high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (Hlinková et al, 2013), whose important health benefits in lowering the cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations, are very well documented (Kris-Etherton et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield and qualitative characterisation of seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. grown in central Italy

et al. 2017

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Amaranth can be considered a very interesting crop for the Mediterranean region, thanks to its inherent tolerance to disadvantageous growing conditions, along with the high nutritional and nutraceutical value of its seeds. The study aims to evaluate the seed yield, and the oil content and quality of two amaranth genotypes (species Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L., respectively) grown in central Italy, testing two types of soil (loamy and sandy soil). The two species showed a good performance in the tested environment, with satisfactory seed yield and relative short growth cycle. Significant differences between the two genotypes were observed in terms of seed yield. The crude oil content ranged from 7.5% to 6.0%, with linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids as the major fatty acids of the oil in both genotypes. The unsaponifiable fraction was rich in sterols (campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol), and interesting levels of squalene were found. This study demonstrated the unique nutraceutical properties of the seeds of two genotypes of A. hypochondriacus and A. cruentus, grown in central Italy environment, as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acid and squalene. These characteristics make amaranth a valuable alternative crop for specialty oil production in the Mediterranean region.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield and qualitative characterisation of seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. grown in central Italy

et al. 2017

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“…There is also potential for amaranth as a source of animal feed and forage. While its use as a forage source remains marginal in most regions, it has been reported in China …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical composition and ruminal nutrient degradability of fresh and ensiled amaranth forage

et al. 2013

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“…Amaranthus has been rediscovered as a promising crop for human nutrition and animal feed, mainly due to the high nutritional value of both seeds and leaves, all over the world (Becker et al, 1981;Kauffman, 1992;Ravindran et al, 1996;Zheleznov et al, 1997;Berger et al, 2003). Seeds are considered to have a unique composition of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids with regard to quantity and quality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field evaluation of Amaranthus species for seed and biomass yields in southern Italy

Rivelli¹,

Gherbin²,

Maria³

et al. 2008

Ital J Agronomy

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Amaranth is a crop with a potentially increasing cultivation area. Little information is available on amaranth cultivation in Mediterranean environments and in southern Italy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic traits and assess the grain and biomass yield responses of 11 genotypes belonging to 5 Amaranthus species, provided from the USDA-ARS, National Plant Germplasm System. There was wide diversity in agronomic traits among Amaranthus species and among genotypes within the same species. The accessions belonging to A. cruentus had the shortest growing cycle followed by A. hybridus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus and, finally, A. hybrid that had the longest growing season. The A. cruentus accessions reached maturity more quickly than the other species. The total above-ground dry matter ranged from 15 to 23 t ha -1 with A. cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, and A. hybridus being the most productive. The stem plus branches dry matter was well correlated to the plant height (r 2 = 0.75**). The tested amaranth genotypes showed appreciable biomass production that can thus be regarded as an interesting secondary product after seed harvesting. Grain yield and components varied among species and accessions. A. hypochondriacus showed the highest yield per plant (55.4 g) followed by five accessions belonging to A. cruentus and A. hybridus (26.4 g on average). Considering together their shorter growing season and their higher grain production, the five accessions belonging to A. cruentus species appear to be better adapted to Mediterranean environments and southern Italy as compared to the other species.

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Realizing the potential of grain amaranth

Cited by 36 publications

References 32 publications

Yield and qualitative characterisation of seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. grown in central Italy

Yield and qualitative characterisation of seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. grown in central Italy

Chemical composition and ruminal nutrient degradability of fresh and ensiled amaranth forage

Field evaluation of Amaranthus species for seed and biomass yields in southern Italy

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