Genetic diversity of nutritionally important carotenoids in 94 pea and 121 chickpea accessions

Abstract

Biofortification of staple crops via breeding is an attractive strategy for reducing human micronutrient deficiencies. The objective of this research was to examine the concentration of carotenoids in diverse pea and chickpea accessions grown in Saskatchewan (Canada) using high performance liquid chromatography. In pea accessions mean concentration of lutein was highest (11.2μgg−1) followed by β-carotene (0.5μgg−1), zeaxanthin (0.3μgg−1), and violaxanthin (0.3μgg−1). Green cotyledon pea accessions were richer in β-carotene and total carotenoids compared to yellow cotyledon accessions. In chickpea accessions mean concentration of lutein (8.2μgg−1) was highest followed by zeaxanthin (6.2μgg−1), β-carotene (0.5μgg−1), β-cryptoxanthin (0.1μgg−1), and violaxanthin (0.1μgg−1). Desi chickpea accessions had higher carotenoid concentration than kabuli accessions. This research identified pea and chickpea accessions that can be utilized in breeding for the improvement of carotenoid concentration through biofortification.