Quinoa and chia are recognized among consumers worldwide due to the wide variety of nutrients each crop provides for healthy living. These cereal crops contain bioactive compounds, are gluten-free proteins, and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Both quinoa and chia are extraordinarily adaptable to various agroecological zones and highly suited to climate change and harsh environments. Quinoa is expanding in underdeveloped countries as a superfood and its cultivation is spreading rapidly due to high global demand. Chia processing results in coproducts including noncommercial grains, partially deoiled flour, and rich fiber fraction allowing the crop to be reincorporated into the food chain.
This book presents scientific, beneficial information on various aspects of chia and quinoa development. It discusses processing methods in quinoa and chia, their functional properties, and features analytical profiles of both crops. Information on quinoa and chia seeds for antioxidant properties and uses as superfoods is featured and effects of processing on nutritional properties, quinoa products, and chia seed products and recipes are included.
Written for agribusiness planners, policy makers, researchers, industrialists, and farmers interested in cereal crops, this book boosts quinoa and chia production, addresses food and health security problems, increases farm outputs, and promotes food industries.
Dr. Manju Nehra is Chairperson, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa (Haryana, India). Her professional career spans 14 years in which she has been an academician. She completed her BSc in medical stream from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra and MSc in Food Technology from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar. Her doctorate degree was also from GJUS&T, Hisar. Her research work was related to the efficacy of natural antioxidants in enhancing the shelf life of oils. Since 2007, Dr. Nehra has served as a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa. She is actively working in new product development from traditional Indian crops, fruits, and vegetables and improving the livelihood of farmers by conducting lectures and workshops on minimal processing and preserving techniques. She has participated in various national and international conferences and presented her research work in lectures and posters. She has published more than 30 research papers in journals of national and international repute. She is actively contributing to university administration by providing services as Director of Youth Welfare. Dr. Nehra has four books to her credit. Her website is a vital public source of information about the changing scenario of human nutrition. She is associated with various professional bodies such as AFSTI, AMI, and Punjab science congress and provides consultancy services to various agro-based industries. Dr. Nehra is actively involved in curriculum development and nutrition counseling. She has a profound interest in teaching, student counseling, environmental conservation, and traveling, besides hygiene and nutrition.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Gahlawat is a Professor in the Department of Biotechnology as well as Dean of Academic Affairs at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa (Haryana, India). He has been presented with various prestigious fellowships and awards from institutes around the globe. He is a renowned scientist and has published more than 100 research papers in national and international reputable journals. Dr. Gahlawat has published more than eight books and has completed many skill enhancement training seminars in universities in India and abroad. The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, awarded him an overseas associateship to conduct higher research in FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK, from March 30, 2007 to March 07, 2008. He was also awarded by the Department of Science & Technology, GOI in FRS Marine Laboratory, and Aberdeen, the UK, from March 19, 2003 to March 14, 2004. He was awarded Certificate of Commitment by Central Vigilance Commission, Satarkta Bhawan, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi, upon adopting the Integrity Pledge to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity and to follow probity and the rule of law in all walks of life. Dr. Gahlawat has visited many laboratories including Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK: FRS BBSRC, Pirbright, UK (Reference laboratory and working on exotic viruses); CEFAS, Weymouth, UK (Reference laboratory for IPN and SVC viruses); University of Stirling, UK (Working on DNA vaccines, Real-time PCR). Several gene sequences/SNPs have been submitted to GenBank, NCBI, the USA, by Prof. Gahlawat. He has guided many PhD scholars and MSc students and mentored hundreds of students to pursue their careers in academics and industries. He served as chairperson of various departments in the university and held different administrative positions such as Dean of Students Welfare, Dean of Colleges, Dean Faculty, and Dean Research. He is contributing to the science fraternity by motivating young scientists with his enthusiastic approach. Dr. Gahlawat has completed four R&D projects from UGC, ICAR, and Government of Haryana. His research interests include the development of molecular diagnostic methods for bacterial and viral diseases.
