The damnAmaranthus retroflexus) It is an edible wild plant, very abundant in nature and considered in many countries as a weed. It has been introduced on most continents and in a large number of habitats. Pigtail has been part of traditional cuisine since ancient times.
However, it has been progressively displaced from food. This plant is normally neither cultivated nor commercialized. The leaves are almost 15 cm long in the large specimens; the highest on the stem are lanceolate and the lowest on the plant are oval.
The fruit is a capsule less than 2 mm long with an opening that, when opened, contains a small black seed. In English it is known as pigweed by the tendency of the plant to sprout where pigs are fed grass. Both the leaves and the seeds are edible.
It is part of the 75 species of the genus Amaranthus. This is usually considered a pseudocereal. Its seeds contain starch, but it does not belong to the same family as cereals such as wheat and rice..
Plants that are recognized as true cereals are monocotyledonous plants. Plants such as amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, buckwheat, and millet are dicots, not grasses.
They are usually grouped under the term "pseudocereals", even though in the literature it has not been properly defined to date..
Due to their chemical composition, the seeds of these plants are used for human nutrition, just like cereal grains. They contain high levels of protein and the amino acid lysine, which is usually deficient in most cereals.
In the case of pigweed, not only are the seeds edible, so are the leaves. These are mainly made up of water (88%), carbohydrates (3%), fiber (3%), proteins (3%) and less than 1% fat.
In its composition are present folic acid, iron, calcium, carotenoids, vitamins A, B2 and C and phytochemical compounds. The red stems are rich in iron. It is recommended to consume the 4 or 6 upper leaves of the stem. Those of the base are rich in oxalate, they are woody and bitter.
Eight compounds have been identified, isolated and purified Amaranthus retroflexus L. These include one sphingolipid, two flavonoids, four sterols, and one amino acid..
The seed contained in the spike is very small, about 1 mm in diameter, and is rich in lysine. It is also a source of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and copper, and of significant amounts of carbohydrates and proteins..
There is a large amount of nitrate in the organs of A. retroflexus. The stem and branches are the main storage organs for nitrates.
The nitrate absorption rate increases with the aging of the plant. The high absorption and storage capacity of nitrate would be an important factor for the species to compete successfully against cultivated plants..
Indeed, it is the nitrogenous compounds that generally limit plant production. Both these and carbohydrates fluctuate throughout the growth period.
In general, when carbohydrates are high, nitrogen compounds are low, and vice versa. This inverse relationship is due in part to the synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll, phospholipine, and other organic nitrogen compounds at the expense of soluble carbohydrates..
The predominant sugars in the seeds are polysaccharides. These make up almost half of the total dry weight of the seeds. The seeds contain phosphatides and phytosterol is also present.
Piglet has numerous health benefits:
It is grown as a vegetable. The flavor of the leaves is reminiscent of green tomato. The leaves can be eaten raw, boiled or fried, as if they were spinach.
Pigtail is consumed in many parts of the world as just another vegetable. You can make an omelette with eggs and milkweed, or stew it with rice and legumes, in cream or milkfish croquettes.
It is used in the Indian state of Kerala to prepare a popular dish known as thoran, combining the finely cut leaves with grated coconut, chili peppers, garlic, turmeric and other ingredients..
On the other hand, one way to neutralize the oxalates present in piglet is to eat it together with cheese..
The seeds can be eaten raw or roasted. Ground into powder can be used as a cereal substitute.
They are used to make bread, as a cereal to make a hot atol or as a thickener. If they are roasted before grinding them, their flavor improves markedly, and sprouts can be added to salads.
No species in the genus Amaranthus is poisonous. There are no data on toxicity of Amaranthus retroflexus. However, like many other species of amaranth, it can be harmful and even fatal when fed to cattle and pigs in large numbers for several days..
People who are sensitive to oxalic acid should also not eat it heavily for long periods of time. Its high oxalate content can cause fatal nephrotoxicity.
If its consumption causes swelling, it may be a reflection of a high nitrate content. This is especially noticeable if the plant comes from soils fertilized with chemical fertilizers..
Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers and other health problems. Therefore, it is advisable to eat the plant only if it comes from land without chemical fertilizers..
Administered moderately as forage, it is considered exceptionally nutritious. It should be noted that pigweed is perceived by farmers as an aggressive and competitive herb in the field..
Produces a substantial yield loss in soybeans, corn, cotton, sugar beets, sorghum, and many vegetable crops.
This plant shows resistance to changes in pH, salt content, the environment, temperature and drought, and has a high capacity for adaptation.
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