Legume Science最新文献

Underutilized legumes, known as “forgotten gems,” serve as a potential role in resolving global hunger issues, nutritional imbalance, and sustainability challenges. These include horse gram, winged bean, Bambara groundnut, rice bean, adzuki beans, and hyacinth bean. Such legumes contain 32%–37% protein, 23%–40% carbohydrates, and vital bioactive compounds. This review comprises an analysis of their nutrients, health effects, and industrial utilization, which features processing approaches including conventional, thermal, and bioprocessing techniques to improve their market acceptance. These legumes contribute to sustainable agriculture through their inherent drought tolerance and nitrogen-fixing capacity. Nevertheless, their wider adoption is constrained by weak supply chain networks, limited financial investment in research and market infrastructure, and inadequate awareness among both producers and consumers. Multiple barriers hinder the market value, so to enhance their demand, investments and public knowledge are required. These crops should be integrated into diets since this action will significantly boost food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability for future food systems.

Pulses are edible seeds of legume plants, but they are distinct from legumes because they are dried seeds before consumption. Because of their economic value and high nutritional content, pulses are integral to diets worldwide. Various pulses such as Macrotyloma uniflorum (horse gram), Glycine max (soybeans), Pisum sativum (field peas), Lens esculenta (lentils), Vigna mungo (black gram), Vigna unguiculata (cowpeas), Vigna angularis (adzuki beans), Vigna radiata (green gram), Vicia faba (broad beans), Phaseolus sp. (common beans), Cajanus cajan L. (pigeon peas), and Lathyrus sativus (Lathyrus) are grown extensively worldwide. Pulses also contain various bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and phytosterols, which possess various pharmacological properties. These pharmacologically active chemical constituents have attained remarkable attention in the prevention and management of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and obesity. These compounds also have prebiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The present study focuses on current information on pharmacologically active chemical constituents such as polyphenols, phytosterols, resistant starch, and oligosaccharides obtained from pulses. This article also focuses on the multifaceted biological roles and health implications of Indian pulses and their industrial usage. The pulses are a source of natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial constituents. The biochemical potential of these pulses, along with future perspectives, is discussed in greater detail in this review.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a multipurpose legume valued for its high seed protein content and contribution to sustainable agriculture. However, its broader utilization is constrained by the presence of vicine and convicine (v-c), antinutritional compounds distributed throughout the plant. Although key genes involved in v-c biosynthesis have been identified, enabling genomic tools for breeding low v-c cultivars, the biosynthesis and accumulation of v-c within the plant remain incompletely understood. While previous studies reported maternal determination of seed v-c content, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used multiple reciprocal crosses between five high and two low v-c parental lines to show that seed v-c content is determined by the maternal genotype, with F1 seeds consistently reflecting the maternal v-c phenotype. Expression analysis of VICINE-CONVICINE 1 and RIBOFLAVIN BIOSYNTHESIS PROTEIN 2 revealed maternal influence, with transcripts predominantly expressed in the seed coat, while the embryo remained transcriptionally inactive. Tissue-specific expression profiling confirmed that the activity of v-c-related genes is restricted to maternal tissues during seed development, suggesting that maternal determination is regulated by developmental stage-specific transcription. This absence of gene activity in the embryo explains the observed phenotypic delay in which the seed v-c content reflects the genotype of the previous generation. Despite maternal control of v-c expression, we found that segregation of the v-c trait follows Mendelian ratios regardless of cross direction, indicating that maternal phenotype does not affect breeding outcomes. These findings provide a molecular basis for maternal inheritance of v-c content and offer practical insights for breeding strategies, including seed-based genotyping, marker-assisted selection, and hybrid or synthetic breeding, supporting effective development of low v-c varieties.

Phaseolus vulgaris, a crucial legume worldwide, is essential for human consumption and provides an abundant supply of proteins, micronutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. A common bean breeder faces considerable challenges due to inherent trade-offs when attempting to simultaneously improve grain yield, Fe/Zn concentrations, and disease resistance. In this study, 118 common bean genotypes, along with two standard check cultivars, were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with a row-column arrangement, with two replicates in two locations during the Meher season in 2019/20. In our study, GT and GYT analyses were used to dissect the associations between various traits and to select superior genotypes based on multiple traits. The highest grain yield t ha⁻¹ was obtained from genotypes G18, G63, and G81. The assessed genotypes showed Fe concentration ranging from 41.4 to 89.4 ppm, with a mean of 51.6 ppm, whereas Zn concentration ranged from 17.7 to 37.2 ppm, with a mean of 24.5 ppm. The GT biplot explained 43.8% of the total variation, identifying donor genotypes with high Fe/Zn concentrations and disease resistance, whereas the GYT biplot accounted for 80.4% of the variation and revealed 10 high-performing, balanced genotypes. Positive correlations were observed between yield and plant height, Fe and Zn concentrations, and days to flowering and maturity, indicating the potential for simultaneous improvement in yield, micronutrient density, and disease resistance. Overall, the integration of GT and GYT biplot analyses enabled the identification of promising candidate genotypes for direct release (G63, G100, G81, G80, and G18) and trait-specific donors for crossing, offering a practical strategy for the development of biofortified bean cultivars with high yield and disease resistance.

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] is an important grain legume crop in Asia. Mungbean is consumed in the United States by a niche market in Asian cuisines, primarily as bean sprouts. Currently, over two-thirds of mungbeans consumed in the United States are imported, with nearly all domestic production concentrated in Oklahoma. This research explores the potential for Virginia tobacco farmers to grow mungbean as an alternative specialty crop amid declining tobacco demand. Two commercial cultivars, Berken and OK 2000, were planted in a split-plot design across three locations in 2021 and 2022. Seeds were sown at early and late planting dates in June and July on farmers' fields and the research station of Virginia Tech in Southside, VA. Yield and agronomic traits were analyzed using one-way ANOVA for individual locations and years. Because of variable rainfall patterns and differing management practices, no consistent effects of genotype or planting date were observed on yield, plant height, pods per plant, seeds per pod, or seed size. Yields ranged from 0.19 to 1.18 mt ha⁻¹, averaging 0.84 mt ha⁻¹ in 2021 and 0.38 mt ha⁻¹ in 2022. The highest recorded yield exceeded the global average, and the 2-year mean surpassed India's national average, the world's largest mungbean producer. Our results highlight mungbean's potential in Virginia, though further investment in production systems and research is necessary to optimize its viability as a specialty crop.

Intercropping is prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions due to its high and stable productivity and efficient resource utilization. In this study, we evaluated the improving radiation use efficiency (RUE) and economic advantage in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) and dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica) intercropping under an irrigation regime and sowing date. Field experiments were performed using a factorial split plot based on a randomized complete block design. The experimental treatments included irrigation systems at three levels: supplementary irrigation (irrigation after sowing and pre-flowering stage) (IS); complete irrigation as control (irrigation based on 20% depletion of available soil water) (I20), and deficit irrigation (irrigation based on 40% depletion of soil water) (I40); the second factor was the autumn sowing date (S1) and spring sowing date (S2), and the third factor was monocropping of chickpea (MC), monocropping of L. iberica (Ml), and intercropping of chickpea and L. iberica (In). The In (I20) treatment increased RUE in chickpea and L. iberica by 1.42 and 1.25 g/MJ, respectively, by extending the growth period. Intercropping proved more profitable than monocropping, with reduced irrigation needs and minimized drought stress during autumn and spring sowings. Chickpea exhibited a higher competitive ratio than L. iberica, indicating their dominance in the intercropping system, which was supported by the land equivalent ratio (LER) results. Adapting crop systems to local agroecological conditions is vital for enhancing resource efficiency and achieving sustainable agricultural outcomes. Based on this, intercropping these species shows promise in mitigating the negative impact of water and light limitations on crop yield.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) infection has recently been shown to cause yield loss in adzuki bean (Vigna angularis [Willd.] Ohwi & Ohashi). Development of SCN-resistant cultivars is used extensively to manage SCN in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). It is considered the most effective way to manage SCN in adzuki bean. Adzuki bean germplasm “Acc2766” shows high resistance to SCN Races 1 and 3, but it is poorly adapted to the environment of Hokkaido because of late maturity. To enable cultivation in this region, genetic improvement is necessary, and development of DNA markers is expected to accelerate breeding for SCN resistance in adzuki bean. Using GRAS-Di technology, 491 single nucleotide polymorphism markers were identified between “Acc2766” and the susceptible cultivar “Shumari.” QTL analysis was performed using individual F₂ plants derived from a cross between “Shumari” and “Acc2766.” Three QTLs associated with SCN resistance were detected: Qrhgaz-1 on Chromosome 1, Qrhgaz-8 on Chromosome 8, and Qrhgaz-9 on Chromosome 9. The results of tests using BC₃F₃ lines indicated that the introduction of all three QTLs was necessary to confer high resistance. DNA markers closely linked to these QTL regions may be useful for the selection of SCN-resistant lines in future adzuki bean breeding programs.

This study investigated five commonly consumed flours—butter beans (BT) (Phaseolus lunatus), black beans (BB) (Phaseolus vulgaris), mung beans (MB) (Vigna radiata), haricot beans (HB) (P. vulgaris), and red kidney beans (RB) (P. vulgaris) for their physical properties, chemical composition, antioxidant activity, functional, pasting, and thermal properties. Color analysis revealed the highest lightness (L*) values in HB (90.12) and BT (89.90) with redness (a*) values highest in RB (2.46) and yellowness (b*) values higher in MB (13.64) and BT (12.99). The protein content ranged from 17.75% to 24.35%, with the highest value found in MB. The fat content of the flours ranged from 0.5% to 1.10%, with MB having a significantly higher content. For the functional properties, RB exhibited the highest water absorption capacity (2.99 g/g), while HB had the highest oil absorption capacity (2.13 g/g); meanwhile, the bulk density ranged from 0.81 to 0.91 g/cm³. MB recorded the highest total flavonoid and phenolic contents at 4.79-mg QE/g and 2.17-mg GAE/g, respectively. RB demonstrated the highest ABTS antioxidant activity (3.29-mg TE/g), followed by BB (2.83-mg TE/g). All flours had the same pasting temperature (95.10°C). Thermal properties varied, with HB showing the highest peak and end temperatures, while MB showed the highest gelatinization enthalpy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed structural differences among the flours, with MB exhibiting more compactness. These findings support the potential application and acceptability of these selected legumes as functional ingredients and promote their utilization for human consumption.

The work aimed to demonstrate the impact of sowing time (2022 trial) and irrigation (2023 trial) on the expression of lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and crude protein and fat contents in five varieties of Australian sweet lupin or narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and to investigate the relationship of LOX with linoleic acid and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The results revealed significant interaction and main treatment effects of lupin varieties and sowing time in expressed LOX activity and crude protein and fat contents in the 2022 trial (p < 0.001). Similarly, the expression of LOX activity and crude protein and fat contents in the 2023 trial was determined by the interaction and main treatment effects of lupin varieties and irrigation treatment (p < 0.001). Among all the significant effects, the expression of LOX activities in both trials was dominated by differences between varieties. However, the expression of crude protein and fat contents in the 2023 trial was primarily influenced by irrigation treatment. The crude fat content in the 2022 trial was primarily governed by the effect of sowing time, whereas the crude protein content was determined by an interaction between variety and sowing time. Lupin LOX was found to positively correlate with linoleic acid and negatively correlate with DPPH radical scavenging activity; to the best of our knowledge, this was demonstrated for the first time in L. angustifolius. This deeper understanding would benefit Australian lupin plant breeders in developing variety-specific planting recommendations or breeding strategies for reduced LOX activity for improved sensory quality when applied to food products.

Legumes are highly nutritious yet underutilized pulses, crucial as primary ingredients in the manufacture of various food products. This study aimed to assess the physical, functional, and chemical properties of black soybean, fava beans, and adzuki beans. Furthermore, the impact of soaking and germination on their nutritional and bioactive components, in vitro protein digestibility, antioxidant activity, and anti-nutritional factors was investigated/studied. Results indicated that the soaking (8 and 12 h) accompanied with germination (24, 36, and 48 h) increased the level of crude protein significantly (p < 0.05), the in vitro protein digestibility, and antioxidant activities while reducing the level of anti-nutritional factors. The IVPD of black soybeans, fava beans, and adzuki beans increased by 21.17%, 12.04%, and 10.79%, respectively. The phenolic and antioxidant activity of the beans significantly increased after 48 h of germination time. The antioxidant activity in adzuki beans increased by 71.14%, followed by black soybean (50.89%) and fava beans (33.48%) after 48 h of germination time, respectively. In contrast, the concentrations of anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, tannins, and trypsin inhibitors, significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after 48 h of germination. The findings suggest that incorporating germinated forms of these legumes into diets could provide enhanced health benefits, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and overall nutritional intake.