Usos actuales y potenciales del Amaranto (Amaranthus spp.)

The genus Amaranthus comprises about 70 species, of which 40 are native to the American continent  and the rest of Australia, Africa, Asia and Europe. A. caudatus L., A. hypochondriacus L. and A. cruentus L. are the species that in recent years have created a strong interest as agricultural crops in many regions of the  world due to the high nutritional value of their seeds and leaves. Amaranth, considered one of the most  nutritious pseudocereals, mainly used for human consumption in several ways; highlighting among them the production of solid sweets with their seeds or drinks based on flour, as vegetables, as fodder for  livestock and for obtaining oils and cosmetic products. In spite of being considered by FAO as the crop with  the greatest potential for technical development for the regions and communities of America due to the  nutritional characteristics of the whole plant as well as the attribute of its excellent capacity to resist soils  and dry climates, It presents a very slow production curve, mainly at low yields, hence, the objective of this review is to perform an analysis of the multiple forms, in addition to consumption, in which amaranth can  be used, and with this, in some way, motivate farmers to continue cultivating it.