Author(s):

A Anand, YS Dhaliwal and R Verma

Abstract: The present study was undertaken with the objectives to investigate the physical, functional and morphological properties of three under-utilized crops namely, amaranth, buckwheat and ricebean. With over most of humanity’s energy and protein requirements are being met by three main crops, maize, wheat and rice, population faces a very vulnerable situation and there is urgent need to enhance crop diversification. Under-utilized crops are often rich in nutrients when compared to more popular staple crops so these three were analyzed for some physical properties like length, weight, 1000 kernel weight, angle of repose and some functional characteristics like bulk and true density, porosity, emulsion stability etc. In regard to morphological properties scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to understand the structure of these crops. It was observed that 1000 kernel weight was found to be maximum in ricebean v.i.z. 64.52 gm and angle of repose was maximum in ricebean (26.46°). Values of porosity in amaranth, buckwheat and ricebean were 28.67, 44.62 ad 43.8 percent respectively. So, this was proved that these traditional crops are highly nutritious and acceptable for the whole mass of population.

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