Mineral and phenolic concentrations of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] grown in semi-arid tropical India

Abstract

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] is an important pulse crop grown in south, east and southeast Asia. Mungbean seed samples harvested from field trials conducted in two environments in Hyderabad, India were utilized to determine genetic variation in the concentrations of minerals Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Na, K and P and to determine the concentrations of phytic acid (PA) and phenolic compounds. Significant variations in Fe (35–87mg/kg), Ca (1190–1580mg/kg), Mg (970–1700mg/kg), Zn (21–62mg/kg), Cu (7.5–11.9mg/kg), Mn (9.8–19.6mg/kg), Se (0.21–0.91mg/kg), K (8670–14,100mg/kg) and P (2760–5170mg/kg) were recorded in mungbean lines commonly grown in South Asia. The effect of the environment on the concentration of minerals in mungbean lines was observed. The Fe concentration of lines CN 9-5 and Harsha doubled when grown in soil with increased availability of Fe. The low PA concentration (2.6–3.8g/kg) and the presence of phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid (1540–3400μg/g) in mungbean may lead to increased bioavailability of micronutrients. Nutrient-rich mungbean should be included in diets to combat micronutrient malnutrition.