Preface

Pseudocereals are mostly recognized for their outstanding protein quality and comparatively high nutritional value. Pseudocereals differ from cereals in their physical characteristics mostly because of their unique chemical makeup and peculiar seed form, which is a ring embryo. Their amino acid composition is well balanced, and they are close to the Food and Agricultural Organization's (FAO) and World Health Organization's (WHO) optimal protein reference pattern for the human diet. Notably, lysine, tryptophan, arginine, and methionine – amino acids containing sulfur – are present in larger amounts in pseudocereals than they are in grains.

Pseudocereals can withstand extreme weather conditions like heat stress, salt, and water scarcity. Both agricultural system diversification and the security of food and nutrition could benefit from these crops. The type of crop variety is thought to be the main determinant of the potential yield of any crop, which is applicable even to pseudocereals. However, one of the most important factors in closing the yield gap between potential and reality is field management techniques.

This book, *Pseudocereals – Recent Advances and New Perspectives* contains a lot of contemporary information on pseudocereals. The chapters have been written by experts in the field, who have agreed to impart their knowledge on recent developments in the field, most of which focus on nutritional perspectives of pseudocereals. The book is organized into two sections: "Recent Updates" and "Functional Properties".

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the authors who have contributed so many wonderful chapters to this book. This project would not have been a success had it not been for their timely contributions and dedication. My heartfelt appreciation also goes to IntechOpen with whom I have worked with for almost seven years now. I would especially like to thank Publishing Process Manager Ms. Romina Rovan Bakarcic, whom I have enjoyed working with on three book projects thus far.

I sincerely hope this book will be a hit among scientific and non-scientific communities alike. Pseudocereals is an area that requires urgent attention, given all the food, agricultural, and economic problems the world is facing right now.

May there be peace on Earth!

**Dr. Viduranga Y. Waisundara** Australian College of Business and Technology, Kandy Campus, Kandy, Sri Lanka
