BioMatNet Item: AIR2-CT92-1426 - Quinoa - A Multi-Purpose Crop for EC's Agricultural Diversification

AIR2-CT92-1426
Quinoa - A Multi-Purpose Crop for EC's Agricultural Diversification

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AIR Cluster I - Biomass Production : Agriculture : Fine Chemicals : Paints/Coatings/Plastics : Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics : Process Engineering : Protein/Amino Acid : Separation/Fractionation : Starch

	Contract No	AIR1-CT92-0041
	Total Cost	4 143 789
	EC Contribution	2 500 000
	Start Date	01/01/1993
	Duration	33 months

OBJECTIVE :

The Andean crop Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) will be introduced to E.C. as a source of a starch, high quality protein and saponin products for industry, and as a contribution to crop diversification and the competitive use of set-aside or marginal lands.

Quinoa produces a cereal-like grain, but with a higher protein content and a better balanced aminoacid composition than cereals. The starch grains in the endosperm are unusually small (2-4 micrometers diameter), which gives the starch unusual functional properties. These may be of value in fillers for the plastics industry, low-calorie milk-based products, anti-offset and dusting powders and cosmetics. The grain contains saponins, which may also be of industrial value. Quinoa is not a grass, and therefore its cultivation could assist the control of weeds and diseases in areas where cereals are currently continuously cultivated. It is tolerant of drought and infertility. Varieties of Quinoa which have a high grain yield in a range of European conditions and acceptable seed characteristics, and others which have a high green dry matter yield, will be produced. These varieties will be in the field trials in several Member States, and protocols for distinctness, uniformity and stability testing will be developed. The nutritional value of Quinoa grain and green fodder for poultry and mammals will be investigated, and the potential of the grain as a human food will be explored. Methods for processing and fractionating Quinoa grain will be developed, and tested on a commercial scale. Industrial uses for Quinoa starch, protein and saponins will be explored and markets will be tested by end-users. Thus, this market-driven project will consider every stage of the development, through primary production to end-uses markets exploration.

Contacts

Coordinator

Philippe De Braeckelaer / Centre de Valorisation des Glucides et Produits naturels / FRANCE

EC Scientific Officer

Adelmo MOREALE / European Commission DG VI Agriculture BELGIUM

Participant