Amaranthus caudatus L. (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as kiwicha, is considered as one of the few multi- purpose pseudocereal crops which supply higher nutritional seeds in huge quantities. A. caudatus is rich source of proteins, β-carotene, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Amaranth starch is of promising use by its high solubility and digestibility, compared to wheat, rice, and oat, seeds of amaranths are gluten-free and contain 30% more protein with complete set of amino acid, offering new possibilities for food processing, pharmacology, and cosmetics. In addition to its nutritional value, several studies have highlighted the importance of this A. caudatus as potential sources of biologically active compounds with anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti- hypercholesterolemic effects and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, the introduction in the diet of A. caudatus seeds could be associated with health promotion and prevention of disease.
Several studies of unique nutritive value of both vegetable and A. caudatus seed rediscovered the plant as useful super crop of future keeping in view its minimum agronomic demand and food security of huge world population. The available literatures reveal that this un- derutilized crop has not received the attention that it deserves since A. caudatus has been reported for its anthelmintic, antinociceptive, anti- pyretic, anticancer, antiallergenic, antidiabetic, stimulation of the im- mune system, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and antibacterial ac- tivities in relation to its antioxidant power. Most of these studies were concentrated on its nutritive value as human and animal feed, utilization of starch, basic biology, genetics and breeding practices. It needed a multidisciplinary research approach to enhanced A. caudatus as golden super crop of future.