Current trends and prospects in quinoa research: An approach for strategic knowledge areas

Abstract

Currently, the demand for healthy consumption and the use of alternatives to dairy proteins for the development of foods with good nutritional value are growing. Quinoa has received much attention because it contains a high content of proteins, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers, and bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, this content and the bioavailability of specific compounds of interest are related to the genotype, the agri-environmental conditions, and management practices where quinoa is grown and postharvest management. This article aimed to analyze the research trends for three knowledge areas: quinoa plant breeding for nutraceutical properties, plant-soil relations focused on abiotic stresses, and postharvest and value-added transformation activities. To this end, a specific methodological design based on bibliometrics and scientometrics methods was used. Through these analyses based on publications' keywords, titles, abstracts, and conclusions sections, for each knowledge area, the key research trends (scope and main topics), the classification of trends based on their development and relevance degree, and the core of knowledge were established. The trends comprise the current state of research. Finally, analyzing the conclusions, recommendations, and future research sections of key publications, a strong correlation among plant breeding research to obtain varieties with tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, nutritional and functional compounds of interest for food safety, and the development of products with higher added value established interest in further research on the potential bioactivity of quinoa and the verification of health benefits to humans.

Keywords: andean grains; functional foods; plant‐based proteins; productive chains; quinoa; scientometrics; trend analyses.

FIGURE 1

Methodological Design. Source: Based on Flórez‐Martínez (2022) and Flórez‐Martínez et al. (2021).

FIGURE 2

Cooccurrence keyword network—Sowing material and plant breeding. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software VOSviewer 1.6.18.

FIGURE 3

Thematic Map and Factorial Map. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software used: Bibliometrix® v 4.1.0.

FIGURE 4

Cooccurrence keyword network—relations between soil–plant scientific landscapes. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software VOSviewer 1.6.18.

FIGURE 5

Thematic Map and Factorial Map of Soil–Plant Relations. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software used: Bibliometrix® v 4.1.0.

FIGURE 6

Cooccurrence, Keyword Network—Postharvest and Value‐Adding Scientific Landscape. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software used: VOSviewer 1.6.18.

FIGURE 7

Thematic Map and Factorial Map. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software used: Bibliometrix® v 4.1.0.

FIGURE 8

Future Quinoa Research Scientific Landscape. Source: Own elaboration based on Scopus®, WoS®, and SciELO® data retrieved in November 2022. Analysis software used: VOSviewer 1.6.18. (a) Postharvest. (b) Soil–plant relations. (c) Plant breeding.