**3. General characters and differences between pseudo-cereals and cereals**

The grains of underutilized crops resemble to that of true cereals in functional aspect. However, they differ in nutritional and phytochemical aspects. Pseudocereal grains are composed of less of starch and more of proteins and lipids as opposed to cereals. The reason is, anatomically, pseudo-cereal grain contains lesser amount of endosperm (starch storing organ) and greater amount of embryo (that store proteins and lipids). Pseudo-cereals possess a considerable amount of essential amino acids such as lysine, cysteine, and methionine. Other than lysine, *Amaranthus* comprises of an adequate quantity of arginine and histidine which are inevitable nutrients for new born and children. Proteins in pseudo-cereals and cereals differ in their storage forms. In cereals, proteins are stored in the form of prolamins whereas in pseudo-cereals proteins are present in the form of globulins and albumins. High concentration of prolamins in cereals is responsible for disease like celiac disease. Therefore, pseudo-cereals are being sought out as an alternative to cereals for gluten-free diet. Studies have shown that dietary fibers found in *Amaranthus* are approximately in the same range as that of wheat. Regarding vitamins and minerals, the value of thiamine content has been found to be greater in amaranth than in wheat. Riboflavin, vitamin-C, folic acid, and

#### *Review on Pseudo-Cereals of India DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101834*

vitamin-E are also prominent in amaranth. It has been observed that gluten-free products and ultimately gluten-free diets are deficient in calcium, magnesium, and iron. Thus, richer calcium content in pseudo-cereals is relevant for the people suffering from celiac disease, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Fats in pseudo-cereals are more than in cereals especially high unsaturated fatty acids (particularly linolenic acid) are characteristic of pseudo-cereals. Amaranthus contains "squalene" which is a highly unsaturated, open chain triterpene which is exclusively found in the liver of deep-sea fish and other marine species. Lipid content is two to three times higher in pseudo-cereals than in cereals. This highly unsaturated lipids are also stable against oxidation which is a desirable trait. This feature is accredited to the tocopherols existing in relatively higher amounts [8]. In cereal grains, there are some anti-nutrients such as phytate, tannins, and saponins that interfere with nutrient absorption and utilization which are found in comparatively lesser quantities in pseudo-cereals. Hence, their nutrient profile makes them a suitable candidate for gluten-free products and are therefore in high demand among the consumers around the world, mainly among the celiac disease patients. This high caloric content and balanced amino acids in pseudo-cereals are advantageous to cope up with micronutrient deficiency in developing and under-developed countries [9].

*A. viridis* and *A. spinosus* are an excellent source of protein with lysine and methionine and phytochemicals such as carotenoids, ascorbic acid, dietary fibers, and minerals such as Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn. They are an impressive source of antioxidants and vitamins which is why they have great importance in food industry. They are consumed as cooked, steamed, or fried vegetables [3].

*A. aspera* is an important source of biologically active trace elements and metals. It is rich in Fe, Cu, Ca, and Na [10]. Leaves of *A. aspera* predominantly comprises of fats, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. These phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds are responsible for the harmful ROS scavenging property of the plant that makes it a potential source of human nutrition [11].

In the extracts of *Celosia argentea*, the characteristic phyto-constituents determined were cyclic peptides, phenols, saponins, amino acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. Saponins among all are the principal pharmacologically active agents but are needed to be explored further for their bioactivity and usefulness. Apart from saponins, higher concentration of fats renders the plant eligible as an energetic and nutritional candidate for mal-nourished children [12, 13].

The determination of vitamin-C and β-carotene from the young as well as mature shoots of *C. album* indicated that it can serve as an interesting supplement of vitamins in the diet bowl. Also, there were prominent amounts of nutrients such as proteins, crude alkaloids, and saponins along with elements like potassium, calcium, zinc, and iron but on the contrary, dietary fibers were little less. All the above-mentioned components have beneficial impact on our health [14].

## **4. Nutritional profile**

This section deals with the nutritional aspect of chosen *A. viridis*, *A. aspera*, and *C. album* in context of their protein, carbohydrate, fat, dietary fiber, and vitamin and mineral composition. Nutritional composition of major cereals, that is, wheat, rice, and maize are incorporated for comparative study (**Tables 1**–**7**).
