Current and potential uses of Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.)

The genus Amaranthus comprises about 70 species, of which 40 are native to the American continent and the rest of Australia, Africa, Asia and Europe. A. caudatus L., A. hypochondriacus L. and A. cruentus L. are the species that in recent years have created a strong interest as agricultural crops in many regions of the world due to the high nutritional value of their seeds and leaves. Amaranth, considered one of the most nutritious pseudocereals, mainly used for human consumption in several ways; highlighting among them the production of solid sweets with their seeds or drinks based on flour, as vegetables, as fodder for livestock and for obtaining oils and cosmetic products. In spite of being considered by FAO as the crop with the greatest potential for technical development for the regions and communities of America due to the nutritional characteristics of the whole plant as well as the attribute of its excellent capacity to resist soils and dry climates, It presents a very slow production curve, mainly at low yields, hence, the objective of this review is to perform an analysis of the multiple forms, in addition to consumption, in which amaranth can be used, and with this, in some way, motivate farmers to continue cultivating it

Usos actuales y potenciales del Amaranto (Amaranthus spp.)

The genus Amaranthus comprises about 70 species, of which 40 are native to the American continent and the rest of Australia, Africa, Asia and Europe. A. caudatus L., A. hypochondriacus L. and A. cruentus L. are the species that in recent years have created a strong interest as agricultural crops in many regions of the world due to the high nutritional value of their seeds and leaves. Amaranth, considered one of the most nutritious pseudocereals, mainly used for human consumption in several ways; highlighting among them the production of solid sweets with their seeds or drinks based on flour, as vegetables, as fodder for livestock and for obtaining oils and cosmetic products. In spite of being considered by FAO as the crop with the greatest potential for technical development for the regions and communities of America due to the nutritional characteristics of the whole plant as well as the attribute of its excellent capacity to resist soils and dry climates, It presents a very slow production curve, mainly at low yields, hence, the objective of this review is to perform an analysis of the multiple forms, in addition to consumption, in which amaranth can be used, and with this, in some way, motivate farmers to continue cultivating it.El género Amaranthus comprende alrededor de 70 especies, de las cuales 40 son nativas del continente Americano y el resto de Australia, África, Asia y Europa. A. caudatus L., A. hypochondriacus L. y A. cruentus L. son las especies que en años recientes han creado un fuerte interés como cultivos agrícolas en muchas regiones del mundo por el alto valor nutrimental de sus semillas y hojas. El amaranto, considerado uno de los pseudocereales más nutritivos, es principalmente usado para el consumo humano de varias maneras; destacando entre ellas la elaboración de dulces sólidos con sus semillas o bebidas a base de harina, como verdura, como forraje para el ganado y para la obtención de aceites y productos cosméticos. A pesar de ser considerado por la FAO como el cultivo con mayor potencial técnico de desarrollo para las regiones andinas y costeras de América debido a las características nutritivas de la planta entera así como la cualidad de su excelente capacidad de resistencia a suelos y climas secos, presenta una curva de producción muy lenta debido principalmente a los bajos rendimientos, de aquí que el objetivo de la presente revisión sea realizar un análisis de las múltiples formas, además del consumo, en que puede usarse el amaranto, y con esto, de alguna manera, motivar a los agricultores para que lo sigan cultivando