Amaranth: A New Millennium Crop of Nutraceutical Values

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of WRKY gene family in grain Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) under salinity and drought stresses

BACKGROUND

The WRKY gene family plays a significant role in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the role of the WRKY gene family has not been reported in Amaranthus hypochondriacus. This study presents a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the WRKY gene family in grain amaranth (A. hypochondriacus L.), a resilient crop known for its high nutritional value and adaptability to challenging environments.

RESULTS

In this study, 55 WRKY genes (AhyWRKY1-55) were identified in A. hypochondriacus and distributed unevenly across 16 scaffolds. Of these, 50 contained conserved WRKY domains and were classified into three main groups. Group II was further divided into five subgroups (IIa-IIe) based on phylogenetic analysis, with each clade being well supported by conserved motifs. Additionally, the gene structure analysis revealed variations in exon-intron organization. In contrast, motif analysis showed the presence of conserved domains that were similar within the group but differed between groups, suggesting their functional diversity. Cis-acting elements related to plant growth and development and light, hormones, and stress responses were identified. Synteny analysis revealed that 34 (61.8%) of the genes originated from tandem duplication, indicating the role of tandem duplication in the expansion of the A. hypochondriacus WRKY gene family. Protein-protein interaction analysis suggested that AhyWRKY3, AhyWRKY27, AhyWRKY28, AhyWRKY36, and AhyWRKY52 were hub genes involved in the complex protein interaction network. Using in silico and real-time quantitative PCR, expression analysis revealed tissue- and condition-specific expression patterns of AhyWRKY genes. Notably, under drought stress, AhyWRKY39, AhyWRKY40, AhyWRKY54, and AhyWRKY01 showed increased expression, while under salt stress, AhyWRKY40, AhyWRKY54, AhyWRKY39, AhyWRKY49, and AhyWRKY8 were upregulated at 30 days, suggesting that these genes may play key role in response to salinity stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides valuable insights into the organization and evolutionary patterns of the WRKY gene family in amaranth. It also identifies putative candidate WRKY genes that may play a role in conferring drought and salt tolerance. Overall, this study lays a foundation for further functional validation of these WRKY candidate genes, facilitating their exploitation in the amaranth genetic improvement programs to develop stress-resilient varieties.

Comprehensive Chloroplast Genomic Insights into Amaranthus: Resolving the Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Status of A. powellii and A. bouchonii

Amaranthus, a genus in Amaranthaceae, is divided into three subgenera-Amaranthus, Acnida, and Albersia-and contains approximately 70 to 80 species. Understanding its phylogenetic relationships is essential for species classification, genetic diversity assessment, and evolutionary studies. This knowledge is vital for improving Amaranthus utilization in crop improvement and managing the ecological impacts of invasive weeds. In this study, we analyzed the chloroplast genomes of 27 Amaranthus species across all three subgenera to characterize their genomic features and construct a comprehensive phylogenetic tree. Our aim was to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within the genus and evaluate interspecific affinities among the subgenera. We also addressed the taxonomic ambiguity surrounding A. bouchonii and A. powellii to determine their distinct species within the genus. Chloroplast genome sizes ranged from 149,949 to 150,818 bp, with GC content varying between 36.52% and 36.63%. Comparative structural analyses confirmed highly conserved quadripartite structures, gene content, and organization, comprising 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. Repeat and codon usage analyses revealed conserved repeat patterns and a preference for codons ending in A or U. Selection pressure analysis indicated a predominantly purifying selection, with matK showing signs of positive selection, particularly in A. spinosus. Phylogenetic analysis of 80 protein-coding genes confirmed the monophyly of subgenus Amaranthus but found Alberisa and Acnida to be paraphyletic. Despite their morphological similarity, A. bouchonii and A. powellii were placed in separate clades within subgenus Amaranthus, with A. bouchonii clustering with A. retroflexus, and A. powellii aligning with the A. hybridus complex. Additionally, we identified 16 variable regions as potential molecular markers for species identification. Our study provides the most comprehensive Amaranthus chloroplast genome dataset to date, offering new insights into its evolutionary relationships and valuable genomic resources for taxonomy, germplasm management, and invasive risk assessment.

Measuring Minerals in Pseudocereals Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry: What Is the Optimal Digestion Method?

Pseudocereals have gained attention due to their adaptability to different climates, high nutritional value, and suitability for gluten-free and plant-based diets. However, a challenge lies in the necessary adaptations in the diet pathways, mainly due to the lack of matrix-matching metrological tools. To address this problem, we developed a classification system to support laboratory decisions without shaped Proficiency Testing (PT) or Certified/Standard References Material. This system evaluates method performance through limit of detection (LOD), maximum uncertainty, and statistical comparison. For that matter, the mineral contents (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Mg, P, Ca, K, and Na) of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) were determined, using three different digestion methods, including dry-ashing, microwave, and graphite block acid digestion. A decision was reached concerning the optimal digestion method to be employed, with the results classified into three categories: (i) "rejected if results failed in two categories; (ii) "use with caution" if results were not satisfactory in one category; or (iii) "accepted", if the results passed in all the categories. The system efficacy was exemplified by the effectiveness of dry-ashing and graphite block acid digestion by comparison with microwave digestion. Neither dry-ashing nor graphite block acid digestion can be recommended as an alternative method to the microwave digestion method when all the prioritized nutrient minerals are understudied. Although the microwave method is preferable for multi-elemental analysis, it is possible to obtain, with caution, comparable results from all the digestion methods if a higher relative combined uncertainty is defined (target uncertainty < 11%) under the assumption that this is suitable for the study.

Purification, Structural Characterization, and Bioactivity of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Lectin

Lectin extracted from Amaranthus hypochondriacus was purified using an affinity column with an agarose-fetuin matrix specific to the lectin of interest. Purification was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, revealing a single protein band with a molecular mass of 34.4 kDa. A hemagglutination assay showed that the lectin had a higher affinity for human type A erythrocytes, and its hemagglutinating activity was inhibited only by fetuin, not by mono-, di-, or trisaccharides. This demonstrated the lectin's selectivity for the N-acetylgalactosamine present on the surface of type A erythrocytes and fetuin. Amaranth lectin exhibited antioxidant activity, which was attributed to the phenolic compounds, amino acids, and specific peptides within the protein structure that are known for their antioxidant properties. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy provided a structural analysis and confirmed lectin glycosylation, a crucial factor in its stability and its ability to bind specific glycans on cell surfaces. Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ ions were found in the lectin, and these ions were strongly bound to the protein, as dialysis against ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) did not remove them. pH and temperature influenced lectin stability, with higher hemagglutinating activity observed at pH 7, and it remained thermostable at 25 °C.

Amaranth and buckwheat grains: Nutritional profile, development of functional foods, their pre-clinical cum clinical aspects and enrichment in feed

The resurgence of interest in amaranth and buckwheat as nutrient-rich and versatile grains has incited extensive research aimed at exploring their potential benefits for sustainable agriculture and human nutrition. Amaranth is renowned for its gluten-free nature and exceptional nutritional profile, offering high-quality proteins, fiber, minerals, and bioactive compounds. Similarly, buckwheat is recognized for its functional and nutraceutical properties, offering a plethora of health benefits attributed to its diverse array of biologically active constituents; flavonoids, phytosterols, and antioxidants. This comprehensive review comprehends the existing understanding of the composition, anti-nutritional factors, biological activity, and potential application of these grains, emphasizing their pivotal role in addressing global food insecurity. Developed functional foods using these grains are having enhanced physicochemical properties, mineral content, phenolic content and overall sensory acceptability. In addition, the consumption of developed functional food products proved their health benefits against various type of anomalies. Moreover, enrichment of both grains in the animal feeds also showing positive health benefits.

Relaxed minds for healthier food choice at school: A field experiment in southern Mexico

Stress leads to unhealthy food choices since the school-age stage. Yet, there is limited evidence particularly in low- and middle-income countries regarding the impact of stress-reduction strategies on school-age children's food choices. Such aspects were crucial during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated psychological distress and unhealthier food choices among children. Two years after the pandemic began, we conducted a field experiment in southern Mexico to assess the impact of stress-reduction strategies on the food choices of over 1400 children aged 9-12. Half of the school-classes in the sample were randomly assigned to a stress reduction strategy namely meditation, which comprised six audios with basic relaxation techniques and intuitive messages to guide food choices. Additionally, all participants received information signalling that an amaranth snack was nutritious (i.e., the healthy snack), which was paired with a chocolate bar (i.e., the unhealthy snack) as part of a snack choice experiment. Students that practiced meditation were slightly more likely to choose the healthy snack than those in the control group, but the effect was not statistically significant. Upon collecting their snack, students had the chance to exchange their original choice for the other snack. Students that meditated were more likely to exchange their originally chosen "unhealthy snack" towards the healthy snack than students in the control group. The meditation program effectively reduced chronic stress among treated children. The effect was larger among students attending schools in lower-income areas. Our study sheds some light on the challenges to translate an improved psychological well-being into healthier food choices at school.

Amaranthus crop for food security and sustainable food systems

MAIN CONCLUSION

This review ascertains amaranth grains as a potent crop for food security and sustainable food systems by highlighting its agricultural advantages, health benefits and applications in the food, packaging, and brewing industry. The global population surge and rapidly transitioning climatic conditions necessitate the maximization of nutritional crop yield to mitigate malnutrition resulting from food and nutrition insecurity. The modern agricultural practices adopted to maximize the yield of the conventional staple crops are heavily contingent on the depleting natural resources and are contributing extensively to the contamination of these natural resources. Furthermore, these agricultural practices are also causing detrimental effects on the environment like rising emission of greenhouse gasses and increased water footprints. To address these challenges while ensuring sustainable nutrient-rich crop production, it is imperative to utilize underutilized crops like Amaranthus. Amaranth grains are gluten-free pseudo-cereals that are gaining much prominence owing to their abundance in vital nutrients and bio-active components, potential health benefits, resilience to adverse climatic and soil conditions, minimum agricultural input requirements, potential of generating income for small holder farmers as well as various applications across the sustainable value chain. However, due to the limited awareness of these potential benefits of the amaranth grains among the consumers, researchers, and policymakers, they have remained untapped. This review paper enunciates the nutritional composition and potential health benefits of the grains while briefly discussing their various applications in food and beverage industries and accentuating the need to explore further possibilities of valorizing amaranth grains to maximize their utilization along the value chain.

From 'Farm to Fork': Exploring the Potential of Nutrient-Rich and Stress-Resilient Emergent Crops for Sustainable and Healthy Food in the Mediterranean Region in the Face of Climate Change Challenges

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development. By analysing how promoting agricultural diversification can enhance food system adaptability to evolving environmental conditions, fostering sustainability and resilience, we discuss recent findings that underscore the main benefits and limitations of these crops from agricultural, food science, and health perspectives, all crucial for responsible and sustainable adoption. Thus, by using a sustainable and holistic approach, this revision analyses how the integration of NUS crops into Mediterranean agrifood systems can enhance agriculture resilience and food quality addressing environmental, nutritional, biomedical, economic, and cultural dimensions, thereby mitigating the risks associated with monoculture practices and bolstering local economies and livelihoods under new climate scenarios.

Grains in a Modern Time: A Comprehensive Review of Compositions and Understanding Their Role in Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer

Globally, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Cancer are the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and are considered to be two of the most significant public health concerns of the 21st century. Over the next two decades, the global burden is expected to increase by approximately 60%. Several observational studies as well as clinical trials have demonstrated the health benefits of consuming whole grains to lower the risk of several chronic non-communicable diseases including T2D and cancer. Cereals grains are the primary source of energy in the human diet. The most widely consumed pseudo cereals include (quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat) and cereals (wheat, rice, and corn). From a nutritional perspective, both pseudo cereals and cereals are recognized for their complete protein, essential amino acids, dietary fibers, and phenolic acids. The bran layer of the seed contains the majority of these components. Greater intake of whole grains rather than refined grains has been consistently linked to a lower risk of T2D and cancer. Due to their superior nutritional compositions, whole grains make them a preferred choice over refined grains. The modulatory effects of whole grains on T2D and cancer are also likely to be influenced by several mechanisms; some of these effects may be direct while others involve altering the composition of gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, and lowering harmful bacteria, increasing insulin sensitivity, lowering solubility of free bile acids, breaking protein down into peptides and amino acids, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and other beneficial metabolites that promote the proliferation in the colon which modulate the antidiabetic and anticancer pathway. Thus, the present review had two aims. First, it summarized the recent knowledge about the nutritional composition and bioactive acids in pseudo cereals (quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat) and cereals (wheat, rice, and corn); the second section summarized and discussed the progress in recent human studies, such as observational (cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies) and intervention studies to understand their role in T2D and cancer including the potential mechanism. Overall, according to the scientific data, whole grain consumption may reduce the incidence of T2D and cancer. Future studies should carry out randomized controlled trials to validate observational results and establish causality. In addition, the current manuscript encourages researchers to investigate the specific mechanisms by which whole grains exert their beneficial effects on health by examining the effects of different types of specific protein, dietary fibers, and phenolic acids that might help to prevent or treat T2D and cancer.

Amaranth's Growth and Physiological Responses to Salt Stress and the Functional Analysis of AtrTCP1 Gene

Amaranth species are C4 plants that are rich in betalains, and they are tolerant to salinity stress. A small family of plant-specific TCP transcription factors are involved in the response to salt stress. However, it has not been investigated whether amaranth TCP1 is involved in salt stress. We elucidated that the growth and physiology of amaranth were affected by salt concentrations of 50-200 mmol·L-1 NaCl. The data showed that shoot and root growth was inhibited at 200 mmol·L-1, while it was promoted at 50 mmol·L-1. Meanwhile, the plants also showed physiological responses, which indicated salt-induced injuries and adaptation to the salt stress. Moreover, AtrTCP1 promoted Arabidopsis seed germination. The germination rate of wild-type (WT) and 35S::AtrTCP1-GUS Arabidopsis seeds reached around 92% by the seventh day and 94.5% by the second day under normal conditions, respectively. With 150 mmol·L-1 NaCl treatment, the germination rate of the WT and 35S::AtrTCP1-GUS plant seeds was 27.0% by the seventh day and 93.0% by the fourth day, respectively. Under salt stress, the transformed 35S::AtrTCP1 plants bloomed when they grew 21.8 leaves after 16.2 days of treatment, which was earlier than the WT plants. The transformed Arabidopsis plants flowered early to resist salt stress. These results reveal amaranth's growth and physiological responses to salt stress, and provide valuable information on the AtrTCP1 gene.

Evaluating anthelmintic, anti-platelet, and anti-coagulant activities, and identifying the bioactive phytochemicals of Amaranthus blitum L

BACKGROUND

Highlighting affordable alternative crops that are rich in bioactive phytoconstituents is essential for advancing nutrition and ensuring food security. Amaranthus blitum L. (AB) stands out as one such crop with a traditional history of being used to treat intestinal disorders, roundworm infections, and hemorrhage. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic and hematologic activities across various extracts of AB and investigate the phytoconstituents responsible for these activities.

METHODS

In vitro anthelmintic activity against Trichinella spiralis was evaluated in terms of larval viability reduction. The anti-platelet activities were assessed based on the inhibitory effect against induced platelet aggregation. Further, effects on the extrinsic pathway, the intrinsic pathway, and the ultimate common stage of blood coagulation, were monitored through measuring blood coagulation parameters: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT), respectively. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTS

Interestingly, a previously undescribed compound (19), N-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-ʟ-tryptophan, was isolated and identified along with 21 known compounds. Significant in vitro larvicidal activities were demonstrated by the investigated AB extracts at 1 mg/mL. Among tested compounds, compound 18 (rutin) displayed the highest larvicidal activity. Moreover, compounds 19 and 20 (N-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-ʟ-tryptophan) induced complete larval death within 48 h. The crude extract exhibited the minimal platelet aggregation of 43.42 ± 11.69%, compared with 76.22 ± 14.34% in the control plasma. Additionally, the crude extract and two compounds 19 and 20 significantly inhibited the extrinsic coagulation pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings extend awareness about the nutritional value of AB as a food, with thrombosis-preventing capabilities and introducing a promising source for new anthelmintic and anticoagulant agents.

HPLC-Based Metabolomic Analysis and Characterization of Amaranthus cruentus Leaf and Inflorescence Extracts for Their Antidiabetic and Antihypertensive Potential

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Amaranthus cruentus flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, catechin, hesperetin, naringenin, hesperidin, and naringin), cinnamic acid derivatives (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid), and benzoic acids (vanillic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid) as antioxidants, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive agents. An analytical method for simultaneous quantification of flavonoids, cinnamic acid derivatives, and benzoic acids for metabolomic analysis of leaves and inflorescences from A. cruentus was developed with HPLC-UV-DAD. Evaluation of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, precision, and recovery was used to validate the analytical method developed. Maximum total flavonoids contents (5.2 mg/g of lyophilized material) and cinnamic acid derivatives contents (0.6 mg/g of lyophilized material) were found in leaves. Using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the maximum total betacyanin contents (74.4 mg/g of lyophilized material) and betaxanthin contents (31 mg/g of lyophilized material) were found in inflorescences. The leaf extract showed the highest activity in removing DPPH radicals. In vitro antidiabetic activity of extracts was performed with pancreatic α-glucosidase and intestinal α-amylase, and compared to acarbose. Both extracts exhibited a reduction in enzyme activity from 57 to 74%. Furthermore, the in vivo tests on normoglycemic murine models showed improved glucose homeostasis after sucrose load, which was significantly different from the control. In vitro antihypertensive activity of extracts was performed with angiotensin-converting enzyme and contrasted to captopril; both extracts exhibited a reduction of enzyme activity from 53 to 58%. The leaf extract induced a 45% relaxation in an ex vivo aorta model. In the molecular docking analysis, isoamaranthin and isogomphrenin-I showed predictive binding affinity for α-glucosidases (human maltase-glucoamylase and human sucrase-isomaltase), while catechin displayed binding affinity for human angiotensin-converting enzyme. The data from this study highlights the potential of A. cruentus as a functional food.

Comparative Analysis of Polyphenolic Compounds in Different Amaranthus Species: Influence of Genotypes and Harvesting Year

Amaranth is a nutritionally valuable crop, as it contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, yielding diverse plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) like phytosterol, tocopherols, and carotenoids. This study explored the variations in the contents of seventeen polyphenolic compounds within the leaves of one hundred twenty Amaranthus accessions representing nine Amaranthus species. The investigation entailed the analysis of phenolic content across nine Amaranthus species, specifically A. hypochondriacus, A. cruentus, A. caudatus, A. tricolor, A. dubius, A. blitum, A. crispus, A. hybridus, and A. viridis, utilizing ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UPLC-PDA). The results revealed significant differences in polyphenolic compounds among accessions in which rutin content was predominant in all Amaranthus species in both 2018 and 2019. Among the nine Amaranthus species, the rutin content ranged from 95.72 ± 199.17 μg g-1 (A. dubius) to 1485.09 ± 679.51 μg g-1 (A. viridis) in 2018 and from 821.59 ± 709.95 μg g-1 (A. tricolor) to 3166.52 ± 1317.38 μg g-1 (A. hypochondriacus) in 2019. Correlation analysis revealed, significant positive correlations between rutin and kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside (r = 0.93), benzoic acid and ferulic acid (r = 0.76), and benzoic acid and kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside (r = 0.76), whereas gallic acid showed consistently negative correlations with each of the 16 phenolic compounds. Wide variations were identified among accessions and between plants grown in the two years. The nine species and one hundred twenty Amaranthus accessions were clustered into six groups based on their seventeen phenolic compounds in each year. These findings contribute to expanding our understanding of the phytochemical traits of accessions within nine Amaranthus species, which serve as valuable resources for Amaranthus component breeding and functional material development.

Genome-Wide Comparative Analysis of Five Amaranthaceae Species Reveals a Large Amount of Repeat Content

Amaranthus is a genus of C4 dicotyledonous herbaceous plant species that are widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe and are used as grain, vegetables, forages, and ornamental plants. Amaranth species have gained significant attention nowadays as potential sources of nutritious food and industrial products. In this study, we performed a comparative genome analysis of five amaranth species, namely, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus tuberculatus, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus palmeri, and Amaranthus cruentus. The estimated repeat content ranged from 54.49% to 63.26% and was not correlated with the genome sizes. Out of the predicted repeat classes, the majority of repetitive sequences were Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) elements, which account for about 13.91% to 24.89% of all amaranth genomes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 406 single-copy orthologous genes revealed that A. hypochondriacus is most closely linked to A. hybridus and distantly related to A. cruentus. However, dioecious amaranth species, such as A. tuberculatus and A. palmeri, which belong to the subgenera Amaranthus Acnida, have formed their distinct clade. The comparative analysis of genomic data of amaranth species will be useful to identify and characterize agronomically important genes and their mechanisms of action. This will facilitate genomics-based, evolutionary studies, and breeding strategies to design faster, more precise, and predictable crop improvement programs.

Study on characters associations and path coefficient analysis for quantitative traits of amaranth genotypes from Ethiopia

Selection based on yield alone may not be effective for yield improvement in plant breeding programs. Thus, in order to progress the genetic gains during selection, yield should be considered along with potential yield contributing traits. The objective of this study was to improve the genotype of amaranth and increase the effectiveness of selection in the program by identifying the correlation and path coefficients between yield and its relevant attributes. On 120 genotypes of amaranth planted during two growing seasons in 2020 and 2021, the study was carried out using an alpha lattice design with two replications. The results revealed significant positive phenotypic and genotypic associations on leaf yield, with leaf area, leaf breadth, branch number, leaf number, plant height at flowering, and grain yield all having positive direct effects. Similar strong positive phenotypic and genotypic relationships were found for grain yield and grain sink filling rates. Using path coefficient analysis, the direct and indirect effects of yield-related traits on yield were also determined. In addition to having a strong direct impact on grain output, the grain sink filling rates showed both phenotypic and genotypic evidence of substantial positive relationships with grain yield. It was further suggested that leaf yield in amaranth genotypes may increase through the indirect selection of plant height at maturity, leaf length, and terminal inflorescence lateral length, which showed such significant indirect influences, mostly through leaf area, days to maturity, and days to emergence, which displayed such strong indirect effects, primarily through plant height at flowering. This study consequently shows the need for traits with significant positive indirect impacts via leaf area to be considered indirect selection criteria for improving leaf yield in amaranth genotypes. The grain sink filling rate also significantly improved grain yield indirectly at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels, mainly via days to flowering and leaf yield. This demonstrated that selection that mainly targeted days to flowering, leaf yield, and grain sink filling rate would ultimately boost the grain yield in amaranth genotypes.

Genetic Polymorphism in the Amaranthaceae Species in the Context of Stress Tolerance

The adaptive potential and biochemical properties of the Amaranthaceae species make them promising for introduction into agriculture and markets, particularly in arid conditions. Molecular genetic polymorphism analysis is the most powerful tool for studying plant resources; therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms of allelic variations in the ARF and SOD gene families, as well as the genetic diversity of six Amaranthaceae species, using retrotransposon-based fingerprinting with the multi-locus EPIC-PCR profiling approach. Additionally, the iPBS PCR amplification was employed for genome profiling, revealing variations in genetic diversity among the studied Amaranthaceae samples. The observed genetic diversity in Amaranthaceae species contributes to their enhanced tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. The knowledge about the genetic diversity of genes crucial in plant development and stress resistance can be useful for the genetic improvement of cultivated Amaranthaceae species.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of the Metabolism of Betalains and Flavonoids in Red Amaranth Hypocotyl under Blue Light and Dark Conditions

Amaranth plants contain abundant betalains and flavonoids. Anthocyanins are important flavonoids; however, they cannot coexist in the same plant with betalains. Blue light influences metabolite synthesis and hypocotyl elongation; accordingly, analyses of its effects on betalain and flavonoid biosynthesis in Amaranthus tricolor may provide insight into the distribution of these plant pigments. We analyzed the betalain and flavonoid content and transcriptome profiles in amaranth hypocotyls under blue light and dark conditions. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression patterns of key genes related to betalains and flavonoids. Amaranth hypocotyls were shorter and redder and showed higher betalain and flavonoid content under blue light than in dark conditions. Key genes involved in the synthesis of betalains and flavonoids were upregulated under blue light. The gene encoding DELLA was also upregulated. These results suggest that blue light favors the synthesis of both betalains and flavonoids via the suppression of bioactive gibberellin and the promotion of DELLA protein accumulation, which also suppresses hypocotyl elongation. The metabolite profiles differed between plants under blue light and dark conditions. These findings improve our understanding of the environmental cues and molecular mechanisms underlying pigment variation in Amaranthus.

Genetic resources and breeding approaches for improvement of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

Nowadays, the human population is more concerned about their diet and very specific in choosing their food sources to ensure a healthy lifestyle and avoid diseases. So people are shifting to more smart nutritious food choices other than regular cereals and staple foods they have been eating for a long time. Pseudocereals, especially, amaranth and quinoa, are important alternatives to traditional cereals due to comparatively higher nutrition, essential minerals, amino acids, and zero gluten. Both Amaranchaceae crops are low-input demanding and hardy plants tolerant to stress, drought, and salinity conditions. Thus, these crops may benefit developing countries that follow subsistence agriculture and have limited farming resources. However, these are underutilized orphan crops, and the efforts to improve them by reducing their saponin content remain ignored for a long time. Furthermore, these crops have very rich variability, but the progress of their genetic gain for getting high-yielding genotypes is slow. Realizing problems in traditional cereals and opting for crop diversification to tackle climate change, research should be focused on the genetic improvement for low saponin, nutritionally rich, tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, location-specific photoperiod, and high yielding varietal development of amaranth and quinoa to expand their commercial cultivation. The latest technologies that can accelerate the breeding to improve yield and quality in these crops are much behind and slower than the already established major crops of the world. We could learn from past mistakes and utilize the latest trends such as CRISPR/Cas, TILLING, and RNA interference (RNAi) technology to improve these pseudocereals genetically. Hence, the study reviewed important nutrition quality traits, morphological descriptors, their breeding behavior, available genetic resources, and breeding approaches for these crops to shed light on future breeding strategies to develop superior genotypes.

Multivariate analysis for yield and yield-related traits of amaranth genotypes from Ethiopia

The genus Amaranthus is one of the few dicotyledonous, non-grass mesophytes that use specialized C4 annuals or short-lived perennials to produce significant amounts of edible small-seeded pseudo cereals. In this study, we characterized the genetic diversity of 120 genotypes of amaranths collected from diverse amaranth-growing regions of Ethiopia using multivariate analysis of yield and yield-related traits. The experiments were carried out at Hawassa University, in the years 2020 and 2021. The experimental design was set up using an alpha lattice design and replicated two times. The collected data were examined for 24 descriptors. Principal component analysis showed that the first six principal components with eigenvalues greater than one contributed 80.41% of the variability. However, the first two principal components explained 52.42% of the total variation. The highest contributing traits in the first component were days to flowering, basal stem diameter, plant height at flowering, plant height at maturity, auxiliary inflorescence length, number of branches, terminal inflorescence lateral length, days to maturity, terminal inflorescence stalk length, leaf number, leaf length, top lateral branch length. The traits with the greatest weight on the second component were leaf area, basal lateral branch length, leaf length, and leaf width, grain filling period, grain sinking filling rate, and grain yield. Therefore, selection based on these traits would be effective for yield improvement in amaranth genotypes. Additionally, the hierarchical clustering grouped all the genotypes into five clusters. The pairwise generalized squared distance (D²) among the five clusters based on Mahalanobis's D² statistics revealed the maximum and highly significant genetic distance was observed between II and III (277.79), while the minimum inter-cluster distance observed between clusters I and II (39.50). The findings suggest that amaranth genotypes in Ethiopia have a lot of genetic variation, which might be used for future breeding and ought to be conserved.

Amaranth and quinoa as potential nutraceuticals: A review of anti-nutritional factors, health benefits and their applications in food, medicinal and cosmetic sectors

Amaranth and quinoa are small-seeded grains with high nutritional and phytochemical profiles that promote numerous health benefits and offer protection against various chronic ailments including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. They are classified as pseudocereals and possess significant nutritional benefits due to their abundance of proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, they exhibit an exceptional balance of essential amino acids. Despite having several health benefits, these grains have lost their popularity due to their coarse nature and are neglected in developed countries. Research and development activities are growing to explore these underutilized crops, characterizing and valorizing them for food applications. In this context, this review highlights the latest advancements in use of amaranth and quinoa as nutraceutical and functional foods, covering their bioactive substances, anti-nutritional factors, processing techniques, health benefits, and applications. This information will be valuable for planning novel research for efficient use of these neglected grains.

Amaranth Genomic Resource Database: an integrated database resource of Amaranth genes and genomics

Amaranth (Amaranthus L.) is native to Mexico and North America, where it was cultivated thousands of years ago, but now amaranth is grown worldwide. Amaranth is one of the most promising food crops with high nutritional value and belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. The high-quality genome assembly of cultivated amaranth species (A. hypochondriacus, A. cruentus) and wild/weedy species (A. tuberculatus, A. hybridus, and A. palmeri) has already been reported; therefore, we developed an Amaranth Genomic Resource Database (AGRDB) to provide access to all the genomic information such as genes, SSRs, SNPs, TFs, miRNAs, and transporters in one place. The AGRDB database contains functionally annotated gene information with their sequence details, genic as well as genomic SSRs with their three sets of primers, transcription factors classified into different families with their sequence information and annotation details, putative miRNAs with their family, sequences, and targeted gene details, transporter genes with their superfamily, trans-membrane domain details, and details of genic as well as nongenic SNPs with 3' and 5' flanking sequence information of five amaranth species. A database search can be performed using the gene ID, sequence ID, sequence motif, motif repeat, family name, annotation keyword, scaffold or chromosome numbers, etc. This resource also includes some useful tools, including JBrowse for the visualization of genes, SSRs, SNPs, and TFs on the respective amaranth genomes and BLAST search to perform a BLAST search of the user's query sequence against the amaranth genome as well as protein sequences. The AGRDB database will serve as a potential platform for genetic improvement and characterization of this futuristic crop. The AGRDB database will be accessible via the link: http://www.nbpgr.ernet.in:8080/AmaranthGRD/.

Applicability of LC-QToF and Microscopical Tools in Combating the Sophisticated, Economically Motivated Adulteration of Poppy Seeds

Morphine and codeine are the two principal opiates found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and are therapeutically used for pain management. Poppy seeds with low opiates are primarily used for culinary purposes due to their nutritional and sensory attributes. Intentional adulteration of poppy seeds is common, often combined with immature, less expensive, exhausted, or substituted with morphologically similar seeds, viz., amaranth, quinoa, and sesame. For a safer food supply chain, preventive measures must be implemented to mitigate contamination or adulteration. Moreover, the simultaneous analysis of P. somniferum and its adulterants is largely unknown. Pre- and post-processing further complicate the alkaloid content and may pose a significant health hazard. To address these issues, two independent methods were investigated with eight botanically verified and fifteen commercial samples. Microscopical features were established for the authenticity of raw poppy seeds. Morphine, codeine, and thebaine quantities ranged from 0.8-223, 0.2-386, and 0.1-176 mg/kg, respectively, using LC-QToF. In most cases, conventional opiates have a higher content than papaverine and noscapine. The analytical methodology provided a chemical profile of 47 compounds that can be effectively applied to distinguish poppy seeds from their adulterants and may serve as an effective tool to combat ongoing adulteration.

Effect of Foliar Application of Hydrogen Peroxide Macroconcentrations on Growth Parameters, Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity in the Leaves and Seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L

Amaranth has many interesting features, both nutritional and otherwise, that make it attractive as a food crop. Plants grown in greenhouses have higher yields but lower nutritional value compared to those grown in open fields. This prompted an interest in studying viable elicitors for the production of amaranth. Small hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations for foliar spraying from 0 to 18 mM have been used in greenhouse amaranth cultivation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of H₂O₂ megadoses on growth parameters, total phenolic compounds, condensed tannins, anthocyanins, and the antioxidant capacity of leaves and seeds of amaranth grown in a greenhouse setting. The seed of the Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. species was used. The concentrations of H₂O₂ analyzed were 0, 125, 250 and 400 mM, with 11 applications throughout the growing cycle. The variable data were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a Tukey's post hoc test (95% CI, p < 0.05). The results on chlorophyll, growth parameters and proximal chemical analysis showed no statistical difference between the control group versus the treatment groups. A greater number of favorable changes in the different variables studied were observed with the 125 mM H₂O₂ treatment, including the increase in antioxidant capacity measured by FRAP. The seed showed a considerable increase in TFC with all treatments and responded better to the 250 mM H₂O₂ treatment in the case of DPPH (an increase of 30%) and TPC (an increase of 44%). A 28% increase in anthocyanin content was observed with the treatment of 400 mM H₂O₂. The use of H₂O₂ may be an appropriate strategy to enhance the production of antioxidant compounds in amaranth without affecting growth or its basic proximal chemical composition. More studies are required in this regard.

Identification of genetic and biochemical mechanisms associated with heat shock and heat stress adaptation in grain amaranths

Heat stress is poised to become a major factor negatively affecting plant performance worldwide. In terms of world food security, increased ambient temperatures are poised to reduce yields in cereals and other economically important crops. Grain amaranths are known to be productive under poor and/or unfavorable growing conditions that significantly affect cereals and other crops. Several physiological and biochemical attributes have been recognized to contribute to this favorable property, including a high water-use efficiency and the activation of a carbon starvation response. This study reports the behavior of the three grain amaranth species to two different stress conditions: short-term exposure to heat shock (HS) conditions using young plants kept in a conditioned growth chamber or long-term cultivation under severe heat stress in greenhouse conditions. The latter involved exposing grain amaranth plants to daylight temperatures that hovered around 50°C, or above, for at least 4 h during the day and to higher than normal nocturnal temperatures for a complete growth cycle in the summer of 2022 in central Mexico. All grain amaranth species showed a high tolerance to HS, demonstrated by a high percentage of recovery after their return to optimal growing conditions. The tolerance observed coincided with increased expression levels of unknown function genes previously shown to be induced by other (a)biotic stress conditions. Included among them were genes coding for RNA-binding and RNA-editing proteins, respectively. HS tolerance was also in accordance with favorable changes in several biochemical parameters usually induced in plants in response to abiotic stresses. Conversely, exposure to a prolonged severe heat stress seriously affected the vegetative and reproductive development of all three grain amaranth species, which yielded little or no seed. The latter data suggested that the usually stress-tolerant grain amaranths are unable to overcome severe heat stress-related damage leading to reproductive failure.

Salt Eustress Induction in Red Amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus) Augments Nutritional, Phenolic Acids and Antiradical Potential of Leaves

Earlier researchers have highlighted the utilization of salt eustress for boosting the nutritional and phenolic acid (PA) profiles and antiradical potential (ARP) of vegetables, which eventually boost food values for nourishing human diets. Amaranth is a rapidly grown, diversely acclimated C4 leafy vegetable with climate resilience and salinity resistance. The application of salinity eustress in amaranth has a great scope to augment the nutritional and PA profiles and ARP. Therefore, the A. gangeticus genotype was evaluated in response to salt eustress for nutrients, PA profile, and ARP. Antioxidant potential and high-yielding genotype (LS1) were grown under four salt eustresses (control, 25 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM NaCl) in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) in four replicates. Salt stress remarkably augmented microelements, proximate, macro-elements, phytochemicals, PA profiles, and ARP of A. gangeticus leaves in this order: control < low sodium chloride stress (LSCS) < moderate sodium chloride stress (MSCS) < severe sodium chloride stress (SSCS). A large quantity of 16 PAs, including seven cinnamic acids (CAs) and nine benzoic acids (BAs) were detected in A. gangeticus genotypes. All the microelements, proximate, macro-elements, phytochemicals, PA profiles, and ARP of A. gangeticus under MSCS, and SSCS levels were much higher in comparison with the control. It can be utilized as preferential food for our daily diets as these antiradical compounds have strong antioxidants. Salt-treated A. gangeticus contributed to excellent quality in the end product in terms of microelements, proximate, macro-elements, phytochemicals, PA profiles, and ARP. A. gangeticus can be cultivated as an encouraging substitute crop in salt-affected areas of the world.

Chromosome-scale Amaranthus tricolor genome provides insights into the evolution of the genus Amaranthus and the mechanism of betalain biosynthesis

Amaranthus tricolor is a vegetable and ornamental amaranth, with high lysine, dietary fibre and squalene content. The red cultivar of A. tricolor possesses a high concentration of betalains, which has been used as natural food colorants. Here, we constructed the genome of A. tricolor, the first reference genome for the subgenus Albersia, combining PacBio HiFi, Nanopore ultra-long and Hi-C data. The contig N50 size was 906 kb, and 99.58% of contig sequence was anchored to the 17 chromosomes, totalling 520 Mb. We annotated 27,813 protein-coding genes with an average 1.3 kb coding sequence and 5.3 exons. We inferred that A. tricolor underwent a whole-genome duplication (WGD) and that the WGD shared by amaranths occurred in the last common ancestor of subfamily Amaranthoideae. Moreover, we comprehensively identified candidate genes in betalain biosynthesis pathway. Among them, DODAα1 and CYP76ADα1, located in one topologically associated domain (TAD) of an active (A) compartment on chromosome 16, were more highly expressed in red leaves than in green leaves, and DODAα1 might be the rate-limiting enzyme gene in betalains biosynthesis. This study presents new genome resources and enriches our understanding of amaranth evolution, betalains production, facilitating molecular breeding improvements and the understanding of C4 plants evolution.

Effects of micro-nano bubble with CO2 treated water on the growth of Amaranth green (Amaranthus viridis)

The micro and nano bubble (MNB) technology, due to its promising features and advantages, has become increasingly popular in agriculture. MNB-treated water positively impacts plant growth, especially when it is treated with a combination of gas-like carbon dioxide (CO₂), injected through the MNB generator. Therefore, this study used MNB water with CO₂ that are small bubbles of nanometer and micrometer diameters having several unique physical properties that make them useful for water treatments. This research evaluates the effect of MNBs and CO₂-treated water on leafy vegetable Amaranth green (Amaranthus viridis). The experiment divided the Amaranth plants into three major groups, G1, G2, and G3, irrigated by MNB water with dissolved CO₂, MNBs with only Air, and simple tap water, respectively. The first treatment group (G1) (MNBs with CO₂) was further divided into three sub-divisions, i.e., G1A, G1B, G1C, and the second treatment group G2 (MNBs with Air) was divided into three sub-groups, i.e., G2A, G2B, and G2C, while the third group G3 with only one category as only controlled group. These sub-divisions of treatment groups G1 and G2 were done to investigate the impact of MNBs and CO₂ treated water with different time durations. For example, in G1A, the water treatment with MNBs and CO₂ was kept five minutes, for G1B 10 minutes, and G1C 15 minutes. Similar method was adopted for G2 as well. According to the results, water treated with MNB and CO₂ has a significant (90%) impact on the Amaranth germination rate and plant growth. Specifically, pots irrigated with the MNBs + CO₂-treated water showed better germination and plant growth rate than the MNBs + Air treated water. Overall, both treatment groups, G1 and G2, showed significantly higher impacts than the CK groups (simple water). Further, this experiment showed that the 10 and 15 minutes treatment of water (G1B, G1C and G2B, G2C) increased the stem height and root size compared to the 5 minutes treated water (G1A, G2A). This study concludes that the water with MNBs has a positive impact on the vegetables and can be an effective technology to improve crop yield.

Amaranth as a natural food colorant source: Survey of germplasm and optimization of extraction methods for betalain pigments

Growing consumer demands for healthier foods have evoked trends in the food industry to replace synthetically produced colorants with naturally derived alternatives. Anthocyanins currently comprise the bulk of the natural colorant market, but betalains offer advantages where anthocyanins have limits. Amaranthus species are appealing betalain sources given their extensive pigmentation patterns and recognized food status around the world. An advantage of amaranths as natural food colorants is that, when grown as leafy vegetables, water extracts would be compliant with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines as "vegetable juice" colorants. Thus, we developed a methodology based on U.S. FDA guidelines to investigate betalain diversity among forty-eight amaranth accessions grown as leafy vegetables. Total betacyanin concentrations ranged from 4.7 to 478.8 mg/100 g dry weight, with amaranthin and isoamaranthin identified as major constituents. Our findings will guide future research on amaranths to determine economic viability and suitability for growing natural colorant markets.

Amaranth Oilseed Composition and Cosmetic Applications

Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) is a possible alternative to high-nutritional-value crops. Amaranth seeds are considered to be one of the few sources of phytosqualene (up to 8%). The use of squalene and its hydrogenated form squalane in skincare formulations has been steadily increasing, and the demand for these compounds is expected to rise continuously. The aim of this study was to investigate the amaranth oilseed as a potential ingredient for cosmetic applications. First, an experimental design and optimization were carried out in order to obtain amaranth oil rich in squalane instead of squalene through catalytic hydrogenation. Under the optimal conditions, the resulting oil was fully hydrogenated, with higher stability, and more suitable for cosmetic uses. Furthermore, the effect of the addition of amaranth oil and squalane on the rheological and sensory characteristics of moisturizing cream formulations was assessed. As expected, higher contents of oil and polyunsaturated fatty acids were obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction, and were used for the next step of the experiment. Optimization of the experimental conditions resulted in fully hydrogenated amaranth oil, with higher stability and rich in squalane. Better quality of moisturizing cream formulations was achieved when W/O formulations were enriched with 2% oil, or by adding 1% oil and 1% squalane. The formulation rich in squalane showed a better overall quality compared to other formulations.

Physiological responses of Amaranthus cruentus L. to drought stress under sufficient- and deficient-nitrogen conditions

Water and nitrogen availability are two major environmental factors that can impair plant growth, and when combined, their effects on plant performance can be either intensified or reduced. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of nitrogen availability on the responses of Amaranthus cruentus’s metabolism to water stress. The plants were cultivated in plastic pots filled with vermiculite, kept under greenhouse conditions, and were watered three times a week with 70% of a full strength nitrogen-free Long Ashton solution, containing 1.97 or 9.88 kg N ha⁻¹ as ammonium nitrate. Photosynthetic parameters were evaluated in planta, and leaves were harvested for chemical analysis of photosynthetic pigments, proline, and phenolic contents. Higher nitrogen supply increased the shoot dry matter, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, total leaf nitrogen, proline, nitrate, and ammonium but reduced the concentration of flavonoids and total phenols. Six days of water stress did not affect dry matter, photosynthetic pigments, leaf nitrogen, ammonium, or specialized metabolites but increased the proline under high nitrogen and negatively affected stomatal conductance, transpiration, photosynthesis, relative water content, instantaneous water use efficiency, and leaf nitrate. The negative effect was more pronounced under high nitrogen supply. The results show that the addition of a high amount of nitrogen made the physiological processes of plants more sensitive to water stress, indicating that the plant response to water restriction depends on the interaction between the different environmental stressors to which the plants are subjected.

Prospects and potentials of underutilized leafy Amaranths as vegetable use for health-promotion

Climate change causes environmental variation worldwide, which is one of the most serious threats to global food security. In addition, more than 2 billion people in the world are reported to suffer from serious malnutrition, referred to as 'hidden hunger.' Dependence on only a few crops could lead to the loss of genetic diversity and high fragility of crop breeding in systems adapting to global scale climate change. The exploitation of underutilized species and genetic resources, referred to as orphan crops, could be a useful approach for resolving the issue of adaptability to environmental alteration, biodiversity preservation, and improvement of nutrient quality and quantity to ensure food security. Moreover, the use of these alternative crops will help to increase the human health benefits and the income of farmers in developing countries. In this review, we highlight the potential of orphan crops, especially amaranths, for use as vegetables and health-promoting nutritional components. This review highlights promising diversified sources of amaranth germplasms, their tolerance to abiotic stresses, and their nutritional, phytochemical, and antioxidant values for vegetable purposes. Betalains (betacyanins and betaxanthins), unique antioxidant components in amaranth vegetables, are also highlighted regarding their chemodiversity across amaranth germplasms and their stability and degradation. In addition, we discuss the physiological functions, antioxidant, antilipidemic, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities, as well as the biosynthesis pathway, molecular, biochemical, genetics, and genomic mechanisms of betalains in detail.

Colorant Pigments, Nutrients, Bioactive Components, and Antiradical Potential of Danta Leaves (Amaranthus lividus)

In the Indian subcontinent, danta (stems) of underutilized amaranth are used as vegetables in different culinary dishes. At the edible stage of the danta, leaves are discarded as waste in the dustbin because they are overaged. For the first time, we assessed the colorant pigments, bioactive components, nutrients, and antiradical potential (AP) of the leaves of danta to valorize the by-product (leaf) for antioxidant, nutritional, and pharmacological uses. Leaves of danta were analyzed for proximate and element compositions, colorant pigments, bioactive constituents, AP (DPPH), and AP (ABTS+). Danta leaves had satisfactory moisture, protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. The chosen danta leaves contained satisfactory magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, and zinc; adequate bioactive pigments, such as betacyanins, carotenoids, betalains, β-carotene, chlorophylls, and betaxanthins; and copious bioactive ascorbic acid, polyphenols, flavonoids, and AP. The correlation coefficient indicated that bioactive phytochemicals and colorant pigments of the selected danta leaves had good AP as assessed via ABTS+ and DPPH assays. The selected danta leaves had good ROS-scavenging potential that could indicate massive possibilities for promoting the health of the nutraceutical- and antioxidant-deficit public. The findings showed that danta leaves are a beautiful by-product for contributing as an alternate origin of antioxidants, nutrients, and bioactive compounds with pharmacological use.

The nutraceutical properties and health benefits of pseudocereals: a comprehensive treatise

This review article depicts the possible replacement of staple cereal sources with some pseudocereals like Chia, Quinoa, Buckwheat, and Amaranth, which not only provide recommended daily allowance of all nutrients but also help to reduce the chances of many non-communicable infections owing to the presence of several bioactive compounds. These pseudocereals are neglected plant seeds and should be added in our routine diet. Besides, they can serve as nutraceuticals in combating various diseases by improving the health status of the consumers. The bioactive compounds like rutin, quercetin, peptide chains, angiotensin I, and many other antioxidants present in these plant seeds help to reduce the oxidative stress in the body which leads toward better health of the consumers. All these pseudocereals have high quantity of soluble fiber which helps to regulate bowel movement, control hypercholesterolemia (presence of high plasma cholesterol levels), hypertension (high blood pressure), and cardiovascular diseases. The ultimate result of consumption of pseudocereals either as a whole or in combination with true cereals as staple food may help to retain the integrity of the human body which increases the life expectancy by slowing down the aging process.

Genetic diversity analysis and marker-trait associations in Amaranthus species

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a highly nutritious, underutilized vegetable and pseudo-cereal crop. It possesses diverse abiotic stress tolerance traits, is genetically diverse and highly phenotypically plastic, making it an ideal crop to thrive in a rapidly changing climate. Despite considerable genetic diversity there is a lack of detailed characterization of germplasm or population structures. The present study utilized the DArTSeq platform to determine the genetic relationships and population structure between 188 amaranth accessions from 18 agronomically important vegetable, grain, and weedy species. A total of 74, 303 SNP alleles were generated of which 63, 821 were physically mapped to the genome of the grain species A. hypochondriacus. Population structure was inferred in two steps. First, all 188 amaranth accessions comprised of 18 species and second, only 120 A. tricolor accessions. After SNP filtering, a total of 8,688 SNPs were generated on 181 amaranth accessions of 16 species and 9,789 SNPs generated on 118 A. tricolor accessions. Both SNP datasets produced three major sub-populations (K = 3) and generate consistent taxonomic classification of the amaranth sub-genera (Amaranthus Amaranthus, Amaranthus Acnida and Amaranthus albersia), although the accessions were poorly demarcated by geographical origin and morphological traits. A. tricolor accessions were well discriminated from other amaranth species. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 10 qualitative traits revealed an association between specific phenotypes and genetic variants within the genome and identified 22 marker trait associations (MTAs) and 100 MTAs (P≤0.01, P≤0.001) on 16 amaranth species and 118 A.tricolor datasets, respectively. The release of SNP markers from this panel has produced invaluable preliminary genetic information for phenotyping and cultivar improvement in amaranth species.

Peruvian Andean grains: Nutritional, functional properties and industrial uses

The Andean geography induces favorable conditions for the growth of food plants of high nutritional and functional value. Among these plants are the Andean grains, which are recognized worldwide for their nutritional attributes. The objective of this article is to show the nutritional and functional properties, as well as industrial potential, of Andean grains. Quinoa, amaranth, canihua, and Andean corn are grains that contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities that benefit the health of the consumer. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate their functional potential. These high-Andean crops could be used industrially to add value to other functional food products. These reports suggest the inclusion of these grains in the daily diets of people and the application of their active compounds in the food industry.

Phytonutrients, Colorant Pigments, Phytochemicals, and Antioxidant Potential of Orphan Leafy Amaranthus Species

The underutilized Amaranthus leafy vegetables are a unique basis of pigments such as β-cyanins, β-xanthins, and betalains with radical scavenging capacity (RSC). They have abundant phytonutrients and antioxidant components, such as pigments, vitamins, phenolics, and flavonoids. Eight selected genotypes (four genotypes from each species) of underutilized Amaranthus leafy vegetables were evaluated for phytonutrients, pigments, vitamins, phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants in a randomized complete block design under ambient field conditions with three replicates. The studied traits showed a wide range of variations across eight genotypes of two species of Amaranthus leafy vegetables. The highest fat, β-xanthins, K, dietary fiber, Mg, β-cyanins, Mn, chlorophyll ab, Zn, TP, TF, betalains, chlorophyll a content, and (RSC) (DPPH) and RSC (ABTS+) were obtained from A. tricolor accessions. Conversely, the highest protein, Cu, carbohydrates, Ca, and chlorophyll b content were obtained from A. lividus accessions. The highest dry matter, carotenoids, Fe, energy, and ash were obtained from A. tricolor and A. lividus. The accession AT2 confirmed the highest vit. C and RSC (DPPH) and RSC (ABTS+); AT5 had the highest TP content; and AT12 had the highest TF content. A. tricolor accessions had high phytochemicals across the two species, such as phytopigments, vitamins, phenolics, antioxidants, and flavonoids, with considerable nutrients and protein. Hence, A. tricolor accessions can be used as high-yielding cultivars comprising ample antioxidants. The correlation study revealed that vitamin C, pigments, flavonoids, β-carotene, and phenolics demonstrated a strong RSC, and showed a substantial contribution to the antioxidant potential (AP) of A. tricolor. The investigation exposed that the accessions displayed a plentiful origin of nutritional values, phytochemicals, and AP with good quenching ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that provide enormous prospects for nourishing the mineral-, antioxidant-, and vitamin-threatened community.

A Systematic Review on Amaranthus-Related Research

Leafy vegetables promote reparation of energy loss due to oxidative stress, and they have the potential to alleviate hunger and malnutrition as well as other forms of metabolic imbalance ravaging the world. However, these vegetables are underutilized, despite the fact that they harbor essential minerals needed for critical cellular activities. As amaranth is one of the earliest vegetables reputed for its high nutraceutical and therapeutic value, in this study, we explored research on the Amaranthus species, and identified areas with knowledge gaps, to harness the various biological and economic potentials of the species. Relevant published documents on the plant were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded accessed through the Web of Science from 2011 to 2020; while RStudio and VOSviewer were used for data analysis and visualization, respectively. Publications over the past decade (dominated by researchers from the USA, India, and China, with a collaboration index of 3.22) showed that Amaranthus research experienced steady growth. Findings from the study revealed the importance of the research and knowledge gaps in the underutilization of the vegetable. This could be helpful in identifying prominent researchers who can be supported by government funds, to address the malnutrition problem in developing countries throughout the world.

Neglected and Underutilised Crops: A Systematic Review of Their Potential as Food and Herbal Medicinal Crops in South Africa

The African continent harbours many native species with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential. This study reviewed underutilised crops in South Africa to determine their potential as food and herbal medicinal crops. Over 5,000 species have been identified and earmarked for their medical attributes in formal and informal setups. Researchers, plant breeders and policymakers have mostly ignored the development potential of these crops. Consequently, their value chains are poorly developed. In South Africa, there is a wide range of neglected and underutilised crops, which were historically popular and used by communities; however, over the years, they have lost their status within farming systems and been relegated to the status of neglected and underutilised. Recently, driven by the need to transition to more sustainable and resilient food systems, there has been renewed interest in their potential as food and herbal medicinal crops to establish new value chains that include vulnerable groups. They are now gaining global attention, and their conservation and sustainable utilisation are now being prioritized. The review confirmed that several of these crops possess nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties, highlighting their potential for development as food and herbal medicines. However, current production levels are too low to meet the requirements for industrial development; research and development should focus on all aspects of their value chain, from crop improvement to utilisation. A transdisciplinary approach involving a wide range of actors is needed to develop the identified neglected and underutilised crops' potential as food and herbal medicinal crops and support the development of new and inclusive value chains.

Functional Characterization of an Amaranth Natterin-4-Like-1 Gene in Arabidopsis thaliana

The functional characterization of an Amaranthus hypochondriacus Natterin-4-Like-1 gene (AhN4L-1) coding for an unknown function protein characterized by the presence of an aerolysin-like pore-forming domain in addition to two amaranthin-like agglutinin domains is herewith described. Natterin and nattering-like proteins have been amply described in the animal kingdom. However, the role of nattering-like proteins in plants is practically unknown. The results described in this study, obtained from gene expression data in grain amaranth and from AhN4L-1-overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana plants indicated that this gene was strongly induced by several biotic and abiotic conditions in grain amaranth, whereas data obtained from the overexpressing Arabidopsis plants further supported the defensive function of this gene, mostly against bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. GUS and GFP AhN4L-1 localization in roots tips, leaf stomata, stamens and pistils also suggested a defensive function in these organs, although its participation in flowering processes, such as self-incompatibility and abscission, is also possible. However, contrary to expectations, the overexpression of this gene negatively affected the vegetative and reproductive growth of the transgenic plants, which also showed no increased tolerance to salinity and water-deficit stress. The latter despite the maintenance of significantly higher chlorophyll levels and photosynthetic parameters under intense salinity stress. These results are discussed in the context of the physiological roles known to be played by related lectins and AB proteins in plants.

Integrating Omics and Gene Editing Tools for Rapid Improvement of Traditional Food Plants for Diversified and Sustainable Food Security

Indigenous communities across the globe, especially in rural areas, consume locally available plants known as Traditional Food Plants (TFPs) for their nutritional and health-related needs. Recent research shows that many TFPs are highly nutritious as they contain health beneficial metabolites, vitamins, mineral elements and other nutrients. Excessive reliance on the mainstream staple crops has its own disadvantages. Traditional food plants are nowadays considered important crops of the future and can act as supplementary foods for the burgeoning global population. They can also act as emergency foods in situations such as COVID-19 and in times of other pandemics. The current situation necessitates locally available alternative nutritious TFPs for sustainable food production. To increase the cultivation or improve the traits in TFPs, it is essential to understand the molecular basis of the genes that regulate some important traits such as nutritional components and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The integrated use of modern omics and gene editing technologies provide great opportunities to better understand the genetic and molecular basis of superior nutrient content, climate-resilient traits and adaptation to local agroclimatic zones. Recently, realizing the importance and benefits of TFPs, scientists have shown interest in the prospection and sequencing of TFPs for their improvements, cultivation and mainstreaming. Integrated omics such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and ionomics are successfully used in plants and have provided a comprehensive understanding of gene-protein-metabolite networks. Combined use of omics and editing tools has led to successful editing of beneficial traits in several TFPs. This suggests that there is ample scope for improvement of TFPs for sustainable food production. In this article, we highlight the importance, scope and progress towards improvement of TFPs for valuable traits by integrated use of omics and gene editing techniques.

Underutilization Versus Nutritional-Nutraceutical Potential of the Amaranthus Food Plant: A Mini-Review

Amaranthus is a C4 plant tolerant to drought, and plant diseases and a suitable option for climate change. This plant could form part of every region’s cultural heritage and can be transferred to the next generation. Moreover, Amaranthus is a multipurpose plant that has been identified as a traditional edible vegetable endowed with nutritional value, besides its fodder, medicinal, nutraceutical, industrial, and ornamental potentials. In recent decade Amaranthus has received increased research interest. Despite its endowment, there is a dearth of awareness of its numerous potential benefits hence, it is being underutilized. Suitable cultivation systems, innovative processing, and value-adding techniques to promote its utilization are scarce. However, a food-based approach has been suggested as a sustainable measure that tackles food-related problem, especially in harsh weather. Thus, in this review, a literature search for updated progress and potential uses of Amaranthus from online databases of peer-reviewed articles and books was conducted. In addition, the nomenclature, nutritional, and nutraceutical value, was reviewed. The species of focus highlighted in the review include, A. blitum, A. caudatus, A. cruentus, A. dubius, A. hypochondriacus, A. spinosus, A. thunbergii, A. tricolor, and A. viridis.

Aqueous extract prepared from steamed red amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus L.) leaves protected human lens cells against high glucose induced glycative and oxidative stress

HLE-B3 cell line, a human lens epithelial cell line, was used to examine the anti-glycative and anti-oxidative protection of aqueous extract prepared from steamed red amaranth leaves against high glucose induced injury. Phytochemical profile of this aqueous extract was analyzed. HLE-B3 cells were pretreated by this aqueous extract at 0.25%, 0.5%, or 1%, and followed by high glucose treatment. Results showed that the content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and triterpenoids in this aqueous extract was in the range of 1,107-2,861 mg/100 g dry weight. High glucose decreased cells viability and suppressed Bcl-2 mRNA expression. This aqueous extract pretreatments raised 11-42% cell survival and upregulated 20-47% Bcl-2 mRNA expression. High glucose reduced Na⁺ -K⁺ ATPase activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). This aqueous extract raised 27-40% Na⁺ -K⁺ ATPase activity, and 18-51% MMP. High glucose stimulated the generation of total advanced glycative endproducts (AGEs), methylglyoxal, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This aqueous extract pretreatments lowered total AGEs, methylglyoxal, and ROS levels in the range of 0.38-1.17 folds, 1.7-4.9 nmol/mg protein, and 0.35-1.06 relative fluorescence unit/mg protein. High glucose upregulated mRNA expression of aldose reductase, nuclear factor kappa B, and p38. This aqueous extract pretreatments decreased mRNA expression of these factors in the range of 75-159%, 57-151%, and 54-166%. High glucose downregulated mRNA expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This aqueous extract pretreatments increased 12-38% Nrf2 mRNA expression. These results suggested that this aqueous extract might be a potent nutritional supplement to prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Antimicrobial peptides purified from hydrolysates of kanihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) seed protein fractions

The kanihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) Andean grain from the Peruvian Altiplano presents proteins of 15% to 19%. The objective was to obtain purified bioactive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), hydrolyzed with Alcalase and Pepsin-pancreatin sequential system of protein fractions of kanihua varieties Ramis (KR) and Cupi-Sayhua (KS), and hydrolysates with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) and percentage inhibition (IP) of the growth of E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. To obtain AMPs, nutraceuticals, bio-preservatives, and novel ingredients in food design. The results showed 216 hydrolysates (1%, w/v), only 28 presented significant difference compared to controls (IP ≥ 45%, p ≤ 0.05), 4 AMPs were purified by chromatography, glutelins KS 4 h (1:10) stood out with DH 40% and IP 52% and 70% of S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively (p ≤ 0.05), showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 95% for E. coli (p ≤ 0.05), and presented an anionic charge. In conclusion, the simulated digestion in vitro showed higher DH (7%-67%) than Alcalase (13%-54%); the majority were extensive; of 28 hydrolysates with IP ≥ 45% 4 AMPs with important IPs were obtained, and one was anionic.