There is a renewed interest in quinoa, as well as in other ancient crops
like amaranth, since these small grains contain protein of outstanding
quality and are better balanced in terms of amino acid composition than
most other cereals (Ruales and Nair, 1992b; Tapia, 2000). The Food and
Agricultural Organization (FAO) observed that quinoa is closer to the ideal
protein balance than any other grain (Gross et al., 1989). The protein isolated
from quinoa resembles cow’s
milk protein in quality (Kozioł
M,
1992).
The
UN Food
and Agriculture
Organization,
the US Agency
for International
Development and the Canadian International Development Research
Centre
all investigated the expanded use of quinoa as a protein source for
marginalized
populations during the 1970s and 1980s (Alberta Agriculture
Food
and Rural Development,
2005).
Recently,
there has been growing
interest
in the crop in in different continents (Europe,
North America,
Asia
and
Africa),
thus initiating the introduction and commencement of research
work
on quinoa in those countries (Jacobsen,
2003).