Flavonol Content, Oil%, and Fatty Acid Composition Variability in Seeds of Teramnus Labialis and T. Uncinatus Accessions with Nutraceutical Potential

Abstract

ABSTRACTTeramnus labialis and T. uncinatus are both underutilized legume species. Teramnus labialis is used as food in India while T. uncinatus has potential use in pasture mixes. Photoperiod-sensitive Teramnus accessions were grown in the greenhouse from 2010 to 2011 and evaluated for flavonol content, oil%, and fatty acid compositions. Significant variations for seed numbers produced, flavonol content, oil%, and fatty acid compositions were detected. Seed numbers ranged from 16 to 3,792 in both species. Teramnus accessions produced more quercetin (ranging from 0.615 to 2.228 mg/g) in their seeds than the other flavonols. However kaempferol and isorhamnetin content ranged from 0 to 0.066 and 0 to 0.086 mg/g (dry seed weight basis), respectively among all accessions. Oil% ranged from 2.65 to 5.64% and more oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids ranging from 6.69 to 25.97, 31.82 to 41.44, and 17.7 to 32.66%, respectively, were produced among all Teramnus accessions. The seeds from all Teramnus accessions also produced the least saturated fatty acid compositions (ranging from 0.08 to 15.36%). Several significant correlations were also detected for these traits among the accessions. Quercetin showed highly significant positive correlations with kaempferol (r = 0.59, p < .0001), oil% (r = 0.58, p< .0001), and oleic acid (r = 0.31, p < .001). Quercetin also showed a significant negative correlation with linoleic acid (r = −0.49, p < .0001). These correlations are important because useful breeding procedures could be conducted on improving flavonol, oil%, and fatty acid compositions in Teramnus labialis and T. uncinatus accessions.