Bitter Vetch Research Articles

Bioactive mesoporous silica nanocomposite films obtained from native and transglutaminase-crosslinked bitter vetch proteins

Edible films nanostructured with mesopouros silica nanoparticles or with its amino-functionalized derivative were prepared from seed bitter vetch proteins, before and after their crosslinking by microbial transglutaminase, and characterized for their physicochemical, morphological and bioactive properties. Film tensile strength and elongation at break significantly increased in the presence of both kinds of nanoparticles, even though the amino-functionalized ones resulted more effective, determining a two-fold increase of the mechanical properties. Transglutaminase-catalyzed protein crosslinking counteracted these nanoparticle induced effects while, conversely, it further increased film barrier properties to gases and water vapour obtained by nanoparticles alone. AFM and SEM analyses indicated a more compact structure of the nanocomposite film matrix with more evident continuous zones compared to control films, as well as an effect of transglutaminase in including more homogenously both nanoparticles into the crosslinked protein network. Finally, all films exhibited antimicrobial and antifungal activities, probably due to phenolic compound(s) present in the bitter vetch protein concentrate, and the addition to the film forming solutions of the bioactive oligopeptide nisin significantly enhanced these properties.

Tuning the Functional Properties of Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) Protein Films Grafted with Spermidine.

Bitter vetch protein films containing positively charged spermidine, alone or with low amounts of glycerol, showed high tensile strength that progressively decreased by increasing the plasticizer concentration. Accordingly, lower film elongation at break and higher Young’s module values were detected in the presence of the polyamine without or with small amounts of glycerol. These data suggest that spermidine not only acts as a plasticizer itself by ionically interacting with proteins, but that it also facilitates glycerol-dependent reduction of the intermolecular forces along the protein chains, consequently improving the film flexibility and extensibility. Thus, spermidine may be considered not only as a primary, but also as a secondary plasticizer because of its ability to enhance glycerol plasticizing performance. Such double behavior of the polyamine was confirmed by the film permeability tests, since spermidine increased the barrier properties to gases and water vapor, while glycerol emphasized this effect at low concentrations but led to its marked reversal at high concentrations. Film microscopic images also substantiated these findings, showing more compact, cohesive, and homogeneous matrices in all spermidine-containing films.

Prediction of dry matter accumulation in bitter vetch

This study was carried out in Bingol province on eastern Anatolian Region between 2013 and 2015. In this study, we obtained 14 bitter vetch genotypes from different sources. The experiment was carried our in three replications in randomized block design. Each plant was weekly measured for 6 weeks starting from germination. For each plant, plant height, fresh and dry stem weight, fresh and dry leaf weights were determined. Logistic, Richards and Weibull growth models were fitted to describe the growth pattern of the genotypes. The best fitting model criteria used were coefficient of determination and mean squared. Richards’s growth model was found to best fit the data for most of the genotypes. Logistic model was the worst fit. In Turkey, climate and soil properties have very large variations. For this, local genotypes showed large variation according to plating areas. YEREL LICE genotype showed more stable and it is the height identified all growth models than other local genotypes. However, IFVE 2923 SEL and IFVE 2977 SEL 2802 these genotypes gave positive results in different environmental conditions.

Assessment of phenotypic diversity in bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.) populations

Knowledge of populations’ diversity contributes to the optimization of their description and conservation. Characterization and estimation of diversity of neglected and underutilized crops would encourage their re-introduction and utilization. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize 49 populations of bitter vetch on the basis of 24 agro-morphological traits and estimate phenotypic diversity among and within populations. A wide diversity was present in the collection for the majority of traits analyzed (mean total phenotypic diversity, H T = 0.52). The mean phenotypic diversity among populations studied (G ST ) was 0.31. Most traits related to reproductive phase had G ST ≥ 0.5, while for most traits high intra-population variation (Η S ) was detected. No significant differences among populations’ mean phenotypic diversity values (0.27 ≤ $$\bar{H}p$$ ≤ 0.47) were observed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) classified the populations into eight distinct groups, mainly due to traits related to reproductive phase and seed yield. The high phenotypic populations’ diversity observed, showed that ex situ conserved populations of bitter vetch constitute an underutilized gene pool that could be re-introduced in cultivated systems and/or utilized by breeding programs and revealed a need for conservation of bitter vetch landraces that are still cultivated.

Phosphorus mobilization in low-P arable soils may involve soil organic C depletion

Organic farming systems often show negative nutrient balances that may compromise the availability of phosphorus over the mid-term. Calcareous soils with low organic matter generally show low or very low phosphorus availability. Under these conditions, P retained in soil organo-mineral complexes -either in organic or inorganic forms-after its solubilization and -in the case of organic P compounds-subsequent mineralization may be a source of P to plants and soil organisms. By studying the changes in soil retained and soluble P pooloccurring during the growth of two legumes in two scenarios of contrasting P availability we aimed to describe the release of soil retained P, organic and inorganic, into the soluble pools and to relate it to changes in organic C during crop growth.The experimental design was a split-plot of two nearby fields with contrasting P availability. In each field, two species of legumes, chickpea and bitter vetch, were planted and manure was added in alternating plots. During the legume growth we monitored soil P by analyzing soluble inorganic and organic P (NaHCO3-Pi and NaHCO3-Po), the soil retained inorganic and organic P pools (H2SO4-P before and after ashing), and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in each plot at sowing time and at the late flowering stage.All P forms were higher in the high-P field than in the low-P field, except for soluble Po, which was higher in the low-P field at sowing time. In the high-P field during legume growth we detected an increase of the soluble Po and soluble Pi pools and of the soil retained Po that may have originated from a reduction of the soil retained Pi pool. In contrast, in the low-P field, the decrease of the soil retained Pi pool coincided with a decrease of the soluble Po pool, while the soil retained Po did not show any significant change. In low-P soils, the soil retained Po pool appeared to be the main source of soluble Pi. Changes in the soil retained Pi pool during legume growth occurred in all soils and were much larger than the amount of P required by plants. Likewise, the most likely P transformations in our soils involved changes between inorganic and organic forms suggesting that these changes were mainly mediated by soil microbiota. P transformations in low-P soils reduced soil organic C and the C/Po ratio, thus suggesting that crops growing in low-P soils may deplete organic matter from protected mineral-organic associations in low organic matter arable soils likely by promoting organic acid exudation by roots and soil microbiota.

Crops of the first farming communities in the Iberian Peninsula

Agriculture was introduced in the Iberian Peninsula in the mid-6th millennium cal BC. The first Iberian farmer communities grew seven different cereal species (hulled and free-threshing wheats and hulled and naked barley), seven legumes (broad beans, lentils, peas, grass/red pea, common vetch and bitter vetch) and two oil crops (flax and poppy). The distinct agricultural diversity from area to area gave way to a complex mosaic of regional variability. This paper aims at exploring not only the main features characterising Neolithic agriculture in Iberia, but also at delineating its variability and the underlying causes linked to numerous factors including environmental constraints, economic and social issues, and cultural traditions and their demographic movements.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Some Iranian Bitter Vetch Landraces using Microsatellite Markers

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Some Iranian Bitter Vetch Landraces using Microsatellite Markers

Farming legumes in the pre-pottery Neolithic: New discoveries from the site of Ahihud (Israel).

New discoveries of legumes in the lower Galilee at the prehistoric site of Ahihud in Israel shed light on early farming systems in the southern Levant. Radiocarbon dating of twelve legumes from pits and floors indicate that the farming of legumes was practiced in southern Levant as early as 10.240–10.200 (1σ) ago. The legumes were collected from pits and other domestic contexts dated to the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B. The legumes identified include Vicia faba L. (faba bean), V. ervilia (bitter vetch), V. narbonensis (narbon vetch), Lens sp. (lentil), Pisum sp. (pea), Lathyrus inconspicuus (inconspicuous pea) and L. hirosolymitanus (jerusalem vetchling). Comparison with coeval sites in the region show how the presence of peas, narbon vetches, inconspicuous peas, jerusalem vetchlings and bitter vetches together with faba bean and lentils is unique to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, and might indicate specific patterns in farming or storing at the onset of agriculture.

Plasticizing Effects of Polyamines in Protein-Based Films

Zeta potential and nanoparticle size were determined on film forming solutions of native and heat-denatured proteins of bitter vetch as a function of pH and of different concentrations of the polyamines spermidine and spermine, both in the absence and presence of the plasticizer glycerol. Our results showed that both polyamines decreased the negative zeta potential of all samples under pH 8.0 as a consequence of their ionic interaction with proteins. At the same time, they enhanced the dimension of nanoparticles under pH 8.0 as a result of macromolecular aggregations. By using native protein solutions, handleable films were obtained only from samples containing either a minimum of 33 mM glycerol or 4 mM spermidine, or both compounds together at lower glycerol concentrations. However, 2 mM spermidine was sufficient to obtain handleable film by using heat-treated samples without glycerol. Conversely, brittle materials were obtained by spermine alone, thus indicating that only spermidine was able to act as an ionic plasticizer. Lastly, both polyamines, mainly spermine, were found able to act as “glycerol-like” plasticizers at concentrations higher than 5 mM under experimental conditions at which their amino groups are undissociated. Our findings open new perspectives in obtaining protein-based films by using aliphatic polycations as components.

ارزیابی ویژگی های فیزیکوشیمیایی و مکانیکی گاودانه (Vicia ervilia) و بررسی خصوصیات عملکردی آرد حاصل از آن

با توجه به نیاز روز افزون بشر به منابع جدید پروتئینی و میزان بالای پروتئین در دانه گاودانه،در این پژوهش خصوصیات فیزیکوشیمیایی و مکانیکی دانه گاودانه و ویژگی های عملکردی آرد حاصل از آن، مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفت؛ همچنین اثر تغییرات pH بر تغییر در میزان حلالیت، ظرفیت کف کنندگی و پایداری آن و ظرفیت امولسیون کنندگی و پایداری آن مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. متوسط طول، عرض و ارتفاع دانه ها به ترتیب 5638/3، 6197/3 و 8365/3 میلی متر و میانگین حسابی و هندسی قطر، ضریب کرویت و سطح به ترتیب 6733/3، 6701/3میلی متر، 0318/1و 405/42 میلی متر مربع بدست آمد. میانگین دانسیته واقعی، دانسیته توده و درصد تخلخل به ترتیب6/1326 کیلوگرم بر متر مکعب،7962/0کیلوگرم بر متر مکعب و 2753/40 درصد و متوسط ضرایب اصطکاک استاتیکی در سطوح تخته سه‌لایه، شیشه، لاستیک، فایبرگلاس و آهن گالوانیزه به ترتیب 4348/0، 1943/0، 4244/0، 3249/0 و 3739/0 بود. آرد حاصل از این دانه دارای 24 درصد پروتئین و 9 درصد چربی بود وظرفیت جذب آب و روغن، به ترتیب01/0±01/2 و 03/0± 77/1 (گرم آب یا روغن بر گرم نمونه) محاسبه شد. همچنین نتایج نشان داد تغییرات pH در محدوده 3 تا 9، میزان حلالیت، ظرفیت کف کنندگی و پایداری کف و ظرفیت امولسیون کنندگی و پایداری امولسیون آرد گاودانه موثر بود.

Intercropping patterns and different farming systems affect the yield and yield components of safflower and bitter vetch

ABSTRACTThis factorial field experiment was done based on a randomized complete block design in Urmia University, Iran, in 2013 and was repeated in 2014. Treatments included two farming systems (high input and organic) and different intercropping patterns that alternated bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) with row ratios of 2:2, 3:2, 4:2 and 5:2. Sole cropping of bitter vetch and safflower was used as the control. In both years, the 2:2 intercropping pattern had biomass yield advantages compared to sole cropping and the other intercropping ratios, based on greater land equivalent ratio values. Safflower had higher relative crowding coefficients, competitive ratio (CR) and aggressivity (A) values than bitter vetch. High-input farming was more effective than the organic system in both years. Safflower was the superior competitor when grown with bitter vetch, and its productivity dominated the total biomass yields. Thus, intercropping of safflower with bitter vetch has the potential to improve performance with high land-use efficiency.

Reconstructing late Neolithic plant economies at the Eastern Adriatic site of Velištak (5th millennium cal BC)

The archaeobotanical remains from Velištak are the first evidence of plant economies from an open-air settlement dating to the late Neolithic Hvar culture in Croatia (c. 4900–4000 cal BC). The results presented here are from the 2007–2013 field seasons. Based on an examination of carbonised macro-remains, it is suggested that emmer, einkorn, and barley were the main crops at Velištak, along with lentils, bitter vetch, and possibly peas and flax. Wild plants were also exploited, with evidence of wild fruits, such as cornelian cherry. Similarities with archaeobotanical finds from the early/middle Neolithic (c. 6000–4900 cal BC) also suggest that plant economies remained relatively unchanged during the Neolithic.

Multidisciplinary Contributions to Legume Crop History: Proceed with Caution.

Accurate understanding of crop biogeography facilitates comprehension of agronomic potential, genetic diversity, and crop–pathogen evolution. Classic perspectives are exemplified by Vavilov (1987), a posthumous compilation, and Harlan (1971). Origin and geographic spread of a given crop provide clues as to environmental interactions, including relative adaption to pests, pathogens, and abiotic factors (Dark and Gent, 2001; Dugan, 2015). Great antiquity of pulse crops (pea, chickpea, lentil, bitter vetch, faba bean) is documented archeobotanically for the Fertile Crescent and several adjacent areas, including much of Europe in succeeding times (e.g., Abbo et al., 2003, 2006; Zohary et al., 2012; Mikic et al., 2014).

Effects of Na2CO3 on seed germination, seed reserve utilizationand seedling growth in bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.)

Alkalinity is one of the main limiting factors of seed germination in alkaline soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Na2CO3 levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mM) on seed germination, seed reserve utilization and seedling vigour of three local bitter vetch cultivars (Buinzahra, Shahreza and Tarom). The results indicated that increasing Na2CO3 concentrations caused a decrease in germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), seedling length, seedling dry weight (SLDW) and seed reserve utilization efficiency (SRUE). The rate of reduction in shoot length in comparison with the control in different concentrations of Na2CO3 was detected from Buinzahra as 30-92%, Shahreza 39-97% and Tarom 13-83%. Decrease in root length was more than shoot length in all the cultivars at each Na2CO3 level, as compared to the control. The weight of mobilized seed reserve (WMSR) and seed reserve depletion percentage (SRDP) decreased with increasing Na2CO3 levels up to 10 mM in Buinzahra and Tarom cultivars and up to 15 mM in Shahreza. WMSR and SRDP then rapidly raised with higher alkalinity levels. These results suggest that reduction of seed germination and decline in seedling dry weight in response to alkalinity stress is a consequence of decline in seed reserve utilization efficiency.

Examination of plant length, dry stem and dry leaf weight of bitter vetch[Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.] with some non-linear growth models

In this study, the ais is to determine the best model for plant length, dry stem and dry leaf weight in different species of bitter vetch by using non-linear growth models. In the study, IFVE 3977-SEL 2802, HAT-14, IFVE 3977-SEL 2802 and Mardin Population bitter vetch species were used as materials. Bertalanffy, Logistic, and Gompertz models were used. At the end of the study, the best models identifying plant length of bitter vetch Logistic in IFVE 3977-SEL 2802 species and Bertalanffy model in IFVE 3351-SEL 2804, HAT-14 and Mardin Population species. Dry stem weight was identified best with Logistic model in IFVE 3977-SEL 2802 and HAT-14 species, Bertalanffy model in IFVE 3351-SEL 2804 and Gompertz model in Mardin population species. Dry leaf weight was identified best with Gompertz model in IFVE 3977-SEL 2802 and Mardin Population, Logistic model in IFVE 3351-SEL 2804 and HAT 14 species.

اثرات تاریخ کاشت، زمان آبیاری و کاربرد گیاهان پوششی بر رشد و عملکرد زعفران (Crocus sativus L.)

به منظور بررسی اثرات زمان‌های کاشت بهاره، تابستانه و پاییزه و نیز مدیریت آبیاری و استفاده از گیاهان پوششی، بر ویژگی‌های رشد و عملکرد گیاه دارویی زعفران (Crocus sativus L.) آزمایشی در مزرعه تحقیقاتی دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد در سال‌های زراعی 89-1388 و 90-1389، به صورت کرت‌های دوبار خرد شده در قالب طرح پایه بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار اجرا شد. فاکتورهای آزمایشی عبارت بودند از: تاریخ کاشت بهاره، تابستانه و پاییزه زعفران به عنوان فاکتور اصلی (اول خرداد ماه، اول مرداد ماه و اول مهر ماه)، مدیریت آبیاری به عنوان فاکتور فرعی (انجام آبیاری و عدم انجام آبیاری پس از هر تاریخ کاشت) و کاربرد گیاهان همراه در سال دوم آزمایش به عنوان فاکتور فرعی فرعی [شبدر ایرانی (Trifolium resopinatum L.)، خلر (Lathyrus sativus L.) و شاهد]. نتایج نشان داد که با تأخیر در کاشت بنه‌ها از اول خرداد به اول مهر، شاخص‌های کمی زعفران به طور قابل ملاحظه‌ای کاهش پیدا کرد و شدت کاهش در سال دوم آزمایش به مراتب بیشتر بود. بیشترین عملکرد گل در تاریخ کاشت مرداد ماه (به ترتیب 28 و 98 کیلوگرم در هکتار برای سال‌های اول و دوم آزمایش) و کمترین آن در تاریخ کاشت مهر ماه (به ترتیب 18 و 34 کیلوگرم در هکتار برای سال‌های اول و دوم آزمایش) به دست آمد. کاشت زعفران در تاریخ اول مرداد ماه موجب بهبود سرعت گل‌دهی و کاهش نسبی سرعت ظهور برگ گردید. عدم آبیاری پس از کاشت باعث افزایش شاخص‌های کمی زعفران شد؛ به طوری‌که عملکرد گل در تیمار انجام آبیاری پس از کاشت در سال اول نه و در سال دوم 43 کیلوگرم در هکتار و برای تیمار عدم انجام آبیاری در سال‌های اول و دوم به ترتیب 37 و 78 کیلوگرم در هکتار بود. بیشترین تعداد گل در هکتار (480000 گل در هکتار) و نیز بیشترین درصد بنه‌های گل‌دهنده (100 درصد) در سال دوم آزمایش و در تیمار تاریخ کاشت خرداد ماه و عدم انجام آبیاری پس از کاشت به دست آمد. کاربرد گیاهان پوششی به خصوص خلر تا حدودی باعث بهبود ویژگی‌های رشد و عملکرد زعفران گردید؛ به طوری‌که استفاده از این گیاه پوششی، عملکرد گل و کلاله را در مقایسه با شاهد حدود دو درصد افزایش داد. همچنین بیشترین سرعت گل‌دهی و کمترین سرعت ظهور برگ در تیمارهای تاریخ کاشت خرداد ماه، عدم انجام آبیاری پس از کاشت و کاربرد گیاه پوششی خلر مشاهده شد.

Characterization and antioxidant activity of bitter vetch protein-based films containing pomegranate juice

The effect of different amounts of pomegranate (Punica granatum, Malas Isfahan cultivar) juice, endowed with high antioxidant activity, on the bitter vetch seed protein films was investigated. We demonstrated that the films prepared in the presence of pomegranate juice exhibited significantly increased moisture content, total soluble matter, elongation at break, as well as water vapour permeability, whereas their tensile strength significantly decreased. These findings clearly suggest that pomegranate juice had a plasticizing effect on the prepared protein-based films, the antioxidant activity of which was also found significantly enhanced. Since scanning electron microscopic images indicated that film structure was undoubtedly affected, we hypothesized that interactions between phenolic compounds contained in the pomegranate juice and bitter vetch proteins are responsible for the modified properties of the obtained blended films. The potential use of pomegranate juice in improving the antioxidant activity of protein-based films is suggested.

Blend films of pectin and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) proteins: Properties and effect of transglutaminase

Abstract Hydrocolloid solutions were prepared by blending pectins and Vicia ervilia seed proteins at complexation pH and edible films were obtained by casting the solutions both in the absence and presence of microbial transglutaminase. Protein/pectin films exhibited a tensile strength double than the one observed with films containing only proteins, with an increase of about 3-fold observed in the presence of enzyme. Also the elongation at break resulted higher in the films containing transglutaminase, leading to conclude that films are more extensible mostly when both pectins and enzyme occur in the film forming solutions. A direct correlation between the improved film mechanical properties and the negative increase of zeta-potential of the originating film forming solutions was recorded. Conversely, gas permeability of protein/pectin films markedly decreased and transglutaminase addition determined a further enhancement of their barrier properties. These findings, supported by morphological analyses, suggest that the improved film functional features depend on their more compact structure due to crosslinked bitter vetch proteins grafted with pectin. Industrial relevance The innovative packaging is becoming an important focus as food industries increasingly endeavor to reduce the environmental impact of their products. Biodegradable and/or edible materials made from renewable sources are interesting alternatives to produce ecofriendly food coatings being able to substitute petrochemical films and to reduce plastic wastes. Development of blended polysaccharide/protein-based biomaterials is an attractive option in the attempt of tuning biodegradable films endowed with tailored properties. In this study an improvement of bitter vetch protein edible films by pectin grafting and transglutaminase treatment is investigated.

Genetic diversity of Moroccan bitter vetch Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd. landraces revealed by morphological and SSR markers

Genetic diversity of Moroccan bitter vetch Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd. landraces revealed by morphological and SSR markers

The breadth of dietary economy in Bronze Age Central Asia: Case study from Adji Kui 1 in the Murghab region of Turkmenistan

Over the past decade research into the paleoeconomy of Bronze Age (3500–800BCE) peoples in Central Asia has shown how complex the productive economy was. The agropastoral system involved an array of crops and herd animals. In this article, we present a paleoethnobotanical study conducted on sediment samples from excavation units at the site of Adji Kui 1, Turkmenistan. Excavations at the site were conducted in 2013; the site is located on the northeastern part of the Murghab Alluvial Fan in the Kara Kum Desert. Earlier excavations at the site have shown that its occupation spanned from 2400 to 1300BCE. The botanical remains recovered from the site illustrate that a very different landscape existed around the site in the past and that the economy was heavily reliant on farming of several different crops, as well as wild resources. In this paper, we present macrobotanical remains of wild foraged plants, such as fruits and nuts. We show that in addition to meat and dairy products, people at the site fished for small stream fish. We also present evidence for an array of cultivated grains and legumes; among the grains we identified hulled and naked barley, broomcorn millet, and free-threshing wheat; we also identified peas, lentils, grass peas, bitter vetch, and fava bean. Ultimately, we attempt to lay out part of the early stages of development of a Central Asian cuisine.