The pseudo-cereal grains are not really grains but seeds from different plant species with a nutritional composition similar to the true grains. The true cereal grains are the edible seeds of specific grasses from the family of Poaceae.Įxamples of true grain cereals include wheat, oat, maize, barley, rye, sorghum, and millet. Grains are either referred to as true cereal grains or pseudo-cereal grains. A grain is the tiny edible fruit of the plant, usually hard on the outside harvested from grassy crops. The Poaceae are the most economically important plant family, providing staple foods from domesticated cereal crops and feed for meat-producing animals. They possess a wide range of tolerance for climatic fluctuations thus, they survive in almost all kinds of ecological niche. The family Poaceae is the fifth-largest plant family following the Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae. Grain is a member of the Poaceae family with approximately 780 genera and 12,000 species. The formulation of production expansion strategies of the locally grown grain and seed proteins would be a step in the right direction for sustainable intensification and diversification in the global food base. Thus, the traditional farming system is exposed to genetic erosion of the germplasm of the traditional underutilized crops. The new generation of farmers, especially in sub-Sahara Africa, have relegated the locally grown grain and seeds as crops of the older folks. The locally underexploited grain and seed are tied to the cultural ancestry of their places of origin, acclimate to precise agroecological areas, and perform well in traditional farming systems with little or no external inputs. However, the cultivation and utilization of some locally grown grain and seed proteins with potential food and nutrition security are grossly underexploited. Grain and seed high in protein include wheat, brown rice, millet, cornmeal, oatmeal, amaranth, buckwheat, couscous, teff, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta, flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, date, kiwi, and cumin. Proteins from grains and seeds are probable sources of a wide range of bioactive peptides that positively impact man’s health. Grain and seed proteins are a staple source of calories, carbohydrate, minerals, B-vitamins and proteins. Grain and seed proteins create windows of opportunities by reducing poverty level, improvement in nutrition and health status, improvement in food security and sustenance of natural resource base among the resource-poor farming communities. They are referred to as the poor man’s meat of the vast majority who cannot afford fish, meat and dairy since they provide nutritionally balanced protein diets. Grain and seed proteins are critical components in food systems that help combat protein-calorie malnutrition in developing countries. Nutraceuticals are any functional food extract with health and medical benefits, particularly to humans. Grains and seeds are plant products containing proteins and peptides that can be classified as nutraceuticals. The malnutrition problems could be addressed by exploring plant proteins as an economical and sustainable source of protein for a wholesome diet. Despite intensification associated with the green revolution and expansion in agricultural production, many people remain food insecure, suffering from hidden hunger caused by protein deficiencies. Seventy-five per cent of the people in developing countries live in rural areas, especially sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. However, some under-utilised grain and seed proteins would also be explored for their nutritive potentials. This chapter discusses grains and seeds as sources of nutrition protagonist, their nutritive property, health benefits, and the pharmacological properties of bioactive peptides in grains and seeds. The quest at exploring staples for their functional and health benefits, as well as reducing risks to diseases, has resulted in the investigation of the potentials of grains and seeds, especially the underutilised ones (African yam bean, pigeon pea, Bambara groundnut etc.) for consumption and as an alternative therapy against diseases. They avail the body with a balanced nutrient profile such as carbohydrate, fatty-acid, fibre, B vitamins, minerals and protein. Incorporating grains and seeds into the human diet provide nutritional, functional health benefits, reducing contracting some chronic diseases. Proteins and peptides are essential components in man’s diet because they provide the raw materials needed for protein biosynthesis and are also a good source of energy. Grains and seeds contain proteins and bioactive peptides classified as nutraceuticals. Grains including wheat, brown rice, millet, oat, and seeds from crops such as pumpkins, almonds, cashew, peas are important staple foods in many parts of the world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |