Legume Diets Research Articles

Urine Metabolomics during a Legume Diet Intervention Suggests Altered Metabolic Signatures and Potential New Intake Markers: First Insights

Urine Metabolomics during a Legume Diet Intervention Suggests Altered Metabolic Signatures and Potential New Intake Markers: First Insights

Sward type alters enteric methane emissions, nitrogen output and the relative abundance of the rumen microbial ecosystem in sheep.

Observed improvements in animal and sward performance, coupled with a desire for more sustainable pasture-based feeding systems, has triggered a surge in the implementation of more botanically diverse pastures. However, thus far, there has been limited research investigating the effects of botanically diverse sward types on enteric methane (CH4) or nitrogen (N) excretion, alongside the ruminal microbiota and fermentation profile, in sheep. Hence, this study investigates the effect of sward type on CH4 production and N excretion, in addition to assessing the rumen microbiome, volatile fatty acid proportions, and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration in sheep. A 5 × 5 Latin square design experiment was implemented to investigate 5 dietary treatments; perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; PRG) only or PRG plus white clover (Trifolium repens L.; PRG + WC), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; PRG + RC), chicory (Chicorium intybus L.; PRG + Chic) or plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.; PRG + Plan). Diets were mixed at a ratio of 75% PRG and 25% of the respective companion forage and 100% PRG for the PRG treatment, on a dry matter basis. Twenty castrated male sheep were housed in metabolism crates across 5 feeding periods. Methane measurements were acquired utilizing portable accumulation chambers. Rumen fluid was harvested using a transoesophageal sampling device. Microbial rumen DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and fermentation analysis. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Results show that animals consuming PRG + WC ranked lower for CH4 production (g/d) than sheep offered PRG, PRG + Chic or PRG + Plan (P < 0.01) while the addition of any companion forage ranked CH4 yield (g/kg dry matter intake (DMI)) lower (P < 0.001) than PRG. There was a moderate positive correlation between DMI and CH4 (g/d; r = 0.51). Ruminal NH3-N was lowest in animals consuming the PRG diet (P < 0.01). There was a greater abundance of Methanobrevibacter and reduced abundance of Methanosphaera (P < 0.001) in sheep offered PRG, compared with any binary sward. On average, herb diets (PRG + Chic or PRG + Plan) reduced the urinary nitrogenconcentration of sheep by 34% in comparison to legume diets (PRG + WC or PRG + RC) and 13% relative to the PRG diet (P < 0.001). Sheep offered PRG + Chic had a greater dietary nitrogen use efficiency than PRG + RC (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates the potential for sward type to influence rumen function and the microbial community, along with CH4 and N output from sheep.

Impact of a legumes diet on the human gut microbiome articulated with fecal and plasma metabolomes: A pilot study

Background & AimsLegumes intake is known to be associated with several health benefits the origins of which is still a matter of debate. This paper addresses a pilot small cohort to probe for metabolic aspects of the interplay between legumes intake, human metabolism and gut microbiota. MethodsUntargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics of blood plasma and fecal extracts was carried out, in tandem with qPCR analysis of feces, to assess the impact of an 8-week pilot legumes diet intervention on the fecal and plasma metabolomes and gut microbiota of 19 subjects. ResultsWhile the high inter-individual variability hindered the detection of statistically significant changes in the gut microbiome, increased fecal glucose and decreased threonine levels were noted. Correlation analysis between the microbiome and fecal metabolome lead to putative hypotheses regarding the metabolic activities of prevalent bacteria groups (Clostridium leptum subgroup, Roseburia spp., and F. prausnitzii). These included elevated fecal glucose as a preferential energy source, the involvement of valerate/isovalerate and reduced protein degradation in gut microbiota. Plasma metabolomics advanced mannose and betaine as potential markers of legume intake and unveiled a decrease in formate and ketone bodies, the latter suggesting improved energy utilization through legume carbohydrates. Amino acid metabolism was also apparently affected, as suggested by lowered urea, histidine and threonine levels. ConclusionsDespite the high inter-individual gut microbiome variability characterizing the small cohort addressed, combination of microbiological measurements and untargeted metabolomics unveiled several metabolic effects putatively related to legumes intake. If confirmed in larger cohorts, our findings will support the inclusion of legumes in diets and contribute valuable new insight into the origins of associated health benefits.

Performance of Dorper sheep fed on range grass and legume diets in a feedlot system in Taita Taveta and Makueni counties of Kenya

Performance of Dorper sheep fed on range grass and legume diets in a feedlot system in Taita Taveta and Makueni counties of Kenya

DIGESTIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL CRUDE PROTEIN FROM TROPICAL LEGUMES IN MIXED GRASS-LEGUME RATIONS FOR RUMINANTS

The digestibility of crude protein (CP) from tropical legumes in grass-legume mixed diets was studied based on literature data by regressing the digestible CP (digCP) on the proportion of CP from legumes in the diet. In vivo studies reporting on CP concentration and in vivo CP digestibility values of ruminants fed diets with tropical legumes and grasses with no other feed, were selected for the analysis (56 publications, 213 dietary treatments (150 legume forages, 63 grasses)). First, observations were classified into categories based on the CP concentration of the control grass using the first and the third quartile of the grass CP concentration (LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH grass quality). Second, legumes were divided based on their growth habit: herbs, shrubs, and trees. Based on the slopes and coefficients of the regressions of the digCP supply on the proportion of CP from legumes, CP digestibility of legumes was higher than that of LOW quality grasses, but lower than that of MEDIUM and HIGH quality grasses. Furthermore, the digestibility of the additional CP from legumes was higher when combined with MEDIUM quality grasses (0.493) compared with those of LOW quality (0.432), while it decreased when combined with HIGH quality grasses (0.305). No differences appeared in the digestibility of additional CP from legumes depending on their growth habit (range 0.415 to 0.421). These results can help optimize the assimilation of CP supplemented by tropical legumes.

Integrated breeding approaches to enhance the nutritional quality of food legumes.

Global food security, both in terms of quantity and quality remains as a challenge with the increasing population. In parallel, micronutrient deficiency in the human diet leads to malnutrition and several health-related problems collectively known as “hidden hunger” more prominent in developing countries around the globe. Biofortification is a potential tool to fortify grain legumes with micronutrients to mitigate the food and nutritional security of the ever-increasing population. Anti-nutritional factors like phytates, raffinose (RFO’s), oxalates, tannin, etc. have adverse effects on human health upon consumption. Reduction of the anti-nutritional factors or preventing their accumulation offers opportunity for enhancing the intake of legumes in diet besides increasing the bioavailability of micronutrients. Integrated breeding methods are routinely being used to exploit the available genetic variability for micronutrients through modern “omic” technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, ionomics, and metabolomics for developing biofortified grain legumes. Molecular mechanism of Fe/Zn uptake, phytate, and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) biosynthesis pathways have been elucidated. Transgenic, microRNAs and genome editing tools hold great promise for designing nutrient-dense and anti-nutrient-free grain legumes. In this review, we present the recent efforts toward manipulation of genes/QTLs regulating biofortification and Anti-nutrient accumulation in legumes using genetics-, genomics-, microRNA-, and genome editing-based approaches. We also discuss the success stories in legumes enrichment and recent advances in development of low Anti-nutrient lines. We hope that these emerging tools and techniques will expedite the efforts to develop micronutrient dense legume crop varieties devoid of Anti-nutritional factors that will serve to address the challenges like malnutrition and hidden hunger.

Proportion and digestibility of tree legumes in diets of grazing cattle in a tropical silvopastoral system

In Silvopastoral Systems (SPS) the dynamics and complexity of the combination between grasses and legume trees can significantly impact forage intake and digestibility, affecting livestock performance. This research was composed of two parallel studies. The first one consisted of a field trial assessing three grazing systems: signalgrass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf.) monoculture, and two SPS, one composed of signalgrass + gliricidia [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth.], and another by signalgrass + mimosa (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth), in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Yearling crossbred 5/8 (Holstein/Zebu) steers (175 ± 29 kg initial body weight) were used as experimental animals. Response variables included δ13C in diet and the proportion of C3 species in the feces. The second study was an in situ dry matter digestibility (ISDMD) assay using fistulated male buffalos, and it was evaluated the increasing levels of each legume from the SPS (0, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) in replacement to signalgrass, under different incubation period (24, 48, and 96 h). The range of the carbon isotope (δ13C) found in the cattle's feces (-14.2 to -16.4 ‰), in both signalgrass monoculture pastures and SPS, evidenced the preference of the cattle under SPS for consuming grasses (C4) instead of tree legumes (C3), as both were available. The carbon isotope (δ13C) in plants with C4 metabolism ranges between -9 and -16‰, and in C3 from -22 to -34‰. Increases in the intake of legumes during the dry period might have occurred due to lesser herbage mass and nutritive value of the grass. The ISDMD reached its greater values (>80%) in the inclusion levels of 75 and 100% of gliricidia, at 48- and 96-h incubation (P<0.05). Reductions in the ISDMD coefficients were observed increasing the levels of mimosa in the diet (P<0.01). Adding 100% of mimosa led to decreases in the ISDMD of 54.4% (24 h), 56.8% (48 h), and 49.1% (96 h). The species of legume tree can significantly affect the preference, proportion of C3/C4 species, and the digestibility of the diet of grazing animals in SPS. The grazing cattle in SPS showed a preference for consuming grass instead of legume trees, however, gliricidia was preferred compared to mimosa, especially in periods of lesser grass availability.

Extrusion and nixtamalization conditions influence the magnitude of change in the nutrients and bioactive components of cereals and legumes.

Cereal and legume diets make up the bulk of caloric sources for a majority of households in the developing world. They contain macro‐ and micronutrients as well as phytochemicals embedded as one matrix. Some phytochemicals are antinutritional factors which can bind nutrients thereby hindering their bioavailability. While there are other methods that can be used to enhance nutrient utilization from such foods, we summarize how food processing methods such as extrusion and nixtamalization are employed to break the food matrix and release these nutrients. Both extrusion and nixtamalization can break down complex carbohydrates into simpler, more soluble forms while at the same time inactivating or denaturing protein inhibitors and other antinutritional factors. Such disruptions of complexes within the food matrix are essential for harnessing optimum nutritional and health benefit from these foods. We present mechanistic approaches explaining how these processes enhance nutrient and mineral bioavailability and phytochemical bioactivity while minimizing the undesirable effects of antinutritional factors that coexist in the complex food matrix.

PSX-31 Effects of substitution of corn and soybean meal with dried distiller’s grains and solubles (DDGS) in legume based diets on lamb feed intake, body weight gain and blood metabolites

Abstract In the United States, bioethanol is generated from corn and biodiesel from soybean oil to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Ethanol production generates DDGS, high in bypass protein and soluble carbohydrates, which can be used as a cheaper alternative replacement for corn and soybean. This experiment was conducted to evaluate voluntary feed intake, body weight gain and blood metabolites of lambs fed legume-based diets supplemented with corn and soybean meal or dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS). Animals were individually housed in pens (1.52 mx 1.52 m) under a modified carport shed with woodchips as bedding. They were stratified into four groups (n = 9) with similar weights and standard deviation and randomly assigned to four treatments. The lambs were fed ground sericea hay (SL) or alfalfa meal (ALF) with either corn and soybean meal (control) or DDGS for 60 days. Treatments were SLC, SLDDGS, ALFC and AFLDDGS. The lambs were fed ad libitum based on their selected treatment and given water daily. At the end of the 60 days, weights and blood samples were collected. Plasma samples were analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Data were analyzed using Proc Mix Procedure of SAS. Results indicated that replacing corn with DDGS did not (P &amp;gt; 0.05) affect voluntary feed intake, final live weight and carcass weight. Blood NEFA and glucose were not affected by dietary treatments. BUN increased in lambs fed alfalfa with corn and soybean meal compared to animals fed either legume supplemented with DDGS. Similarly animals fed sericea have lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) BUN (19 vs 23 mg/dL) when corn and soybean meal were replaced with DDGS. DDGS can be used in legume diets for growing lambs in replacement for corn and soybean meal.

Biochemical indices and heamtological parameters of goats fed lablab purpureus and vigna unguiculata as supplements to a chloris gayana basal diet

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of forage legume diets on haematological and biochemical indices of Xhosa goats. Eighteen animals, one-year-old, of average live weight 14.13 ± 0.24 kg were assigned, in a completely randomized design, to three treatment diets. Animals were housed individually and sex was equally represented among treatments with 6 animals per treatment. Weights and blood samples were taken every fortnight. A pair of blood samples (5 ml each) were collected from each goat, via jugular vein puncture and were subjected to either haematological or biochemical analysis. The results show that treatment diets and sex significantly (P < 0.05) affected DMI, total gain, ADG, and feed conversion ratio. Treatment diets and sex had no effects (P > 0.05) on serum total proteins, globulins, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma- glutamyl transferase concentrations. The diet influenced albumin was (P < 0.05) while sex influenced ALP concentration (P < 0.05). Measured over time, the plasma concentration of urea and ALP significantly increased (P < 0.05) while creatinine and cholesterol concentration decreased (P < 0.05). Although the overall blood biochemical properties remain unchanged among the treatments and between sexes; treatment by sex, treatment by day and sex by day interactions were significant (P < 0.05). The white blood cells, red blood cell, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and platelet and mean platelet volume levels were similar among treatments and between sexes (P > 0.05). The mean cell volume and red cell distribution width were different among treatments (P < 0.05). Treatment diets significantly (P < 0.05) influenced neutrophil (%) content while sex influenced basophile (%) content. In conclusion forage legumes did not cause toxicity in goats or any pathological condition.

Economic analysis of cattle fattening systems based on forage tree legume diets in eastern Indonesia

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Research and government agencies in eastern Indonesia have identified 2 systems with potential to increase productivity and incomes of small-holder cattle producers: improved cattle feeding practices through forage tree legumes (FTL); and the development of more efficient and specialized cattle-fattening systems. Extensive research has been conducted on production and technical aspects of FTL-fattening systems, but there is a gap in research on economic incentives for households to adopt the systems. This paper provides an economic analysis of a leucaena-fattening system in a village in West Timor. It draws on trial data from associated technical research projects and detailed semi-structured interviews with farmers and other stakeholders to populate a bio-economic model built for the research. Under all measures of profitability, leucaena-fattening systems in representative households are profitable in the wet season. Importantly, ’returns to person days’ are higher than off-farm incomes. The activity generates cash income, increasingly required to meet cash expenses in modern rural Indonesian society. However, returns vary considerably between households, are considerably lower in the dry season and, as would be expected, are sensitive to relative prices of feeder and finished cattle.

The Effect of Dietary Glycaemic Index on Glycaemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes in the United Kingdom and worldwide calls for new approaches to its management, and diets with low glycaemic index have been proposed as a useful means for managing glucose response. However, there are conflicting reports and differences in the results of studies in terms of their effectiveness. Furthermore, the impact of low-glycaemic index diets and their long-term use in patients with type 2 diabetes remains unclear. Objectives: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of low-glycaemic index diets in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Search methods: Randomised controlled studies were selected from a number of databases (EBSCOHost with links to Health Research databases, PubMed, and grey literature) based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes and Study designs (PICOS) framework. The search terms included synonyms and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and involved the use of Boolean operators (AND/OR) which allowed the combination of words and search terms. Selection criteria: As per the selection criteria, the following types of articles were selected: studies on randomised controlled trials, with year of publication between 2008 and 2018, including patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, studies involving patients with gestational and type 1 diabetes were excluded, as were observational studies. Nine articles which met the inclusion criteria were selected for the systematic review, whereas only six articles which met the criteria were included in the meta-analysis. Data collection and analysis: Studies were evaluated for quality and risk of bias. In addition, heterogeneity, meta-analysis, and sensitivity tests of the extracted data were carried out using Review Manager 5.3 (Review Manager, 2014). Results: The findings of the systematic review showed that the low-glycaemic index (low-GI) diet resulted in a significant improvement (<0.05) in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in two studies: low-GI diet Δ = −0.5% (95% CI, −0.61% to −0.39%) vs. high-cereal fibre diet Δ = −0.18% (95% CI, −0.29% to −0.07%); and low-GI legume diet Δ = −0.5% (95%, −0.6% to −0.4%) vs. high-wheat fibre diet Δ = −0.3% (95% Cl, −0.4 to −0.2%). There was a slight improvement in one study (low glycaemic response = 6.5% (6.3–7.1) vs. control = 6.6% (6.3–7.0) and no significant difference (p > 0.05) in four studies compared with the control diet. Four studies showed improvements in fasting blood glucose in low-GI diets compared to higher-GI diets or control: low-GI diet = 150.8 ± 8.7 vs. higher-GI diet = 157.8 ± 10.4 mg/dL, mean ± SD p = 0.43; low-GI diet = 127.7 vs. high-cereal fibre diet = 136.8 mg/dL, p = 0.02; low-GI diet = 6.5 (5.6–8.4) vs. standard diabetic diet = 6.7 (6.1–7.5) mmol/L, median and interquartile range p > 0.05; and low-GI diet = 7.3 ± 0.3 vs. conventional carbohydrate exchange diet = 7.7 ± 0.4 mmol/L, mean ± SEM (Standard Error of Mean) p < 0.05. The results of the meta-analysis and sensitivity tests demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) between the low-GI diet and the higher-GI diet or control diet in relation to glycated haemoglobin. Differences between the low-GI diet and higher-GI diet or control were significant (p < 0.05) with respect to the fasting blood glucose following meta-analysis. Conclusion: The low-GI diet is more effective in controlling glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose compared with a higher-GI diet or control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Does initial body condition affect wether kid feed intake and performance when fed alfalfa or Lespedeza cuneata L.?

Legumes with excessive condensed tannins may become unpalatable to ruminants; however, body condition may affect feed intake. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of goats with different initial bodies condition scores fed pellets composed of pure alfalfa, sericea lespedeza, and this with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for 35days. Goats had compensatory gain, once no difference (P>0.05) among body scores was obtained in final body weight. Goats in low body scores had greater (P≤0.05) average daily gain. About feed intake, no differences among legume diets were found in the high diet group. In most of the variables, animals in the high group kept greater their body measures, as well as legumes could be similar (P>0.05), despite of SL quality. Pellets made from sericea and plus PEG decreased (P≤0.05) gases productions. Goats in low body conditions have compensatory gain when fed either sericea or plus PEG, both viable substitutes for alfalfa. Body measurements are a tool to predict body weight, in spite of moderate correlations. Pellets made from sericea can decrease feed energy loss via CH4 emissions and provide an alternative N pathway.

Diurnal Leaf Starch Content: An Orphan Trait in Forage Legumes

Forage legumes have a relatively high biomass yield and crude protein content, but their grazed and harvested biomass lacks the high-energy carbohydrates required to meet the productivity potential of modern livestock breeds. Because of their low carbohydrate content, forage legume diets are typically supplemented with starch rich cereal grains or maize (Zea mays), leading to the disruption of local nutrient cycles. Although plant leaves were first reported to accumulate starch in a diurnal pattern over a century ago, leaf starch content has yet to be exploited as an agronomic trait in forage crops. Forage legumes such as red clover (Trifolium pratense) have the genetic potential to accumulate up to one third of their leaf dry mass as starch, but this starch is typically degraded at night to support nighttime growth and respiration. Even when diurnal accumulation is considered with regard to the time the crop is harvested, only limited gains are realized due to environmental effects and post-harvest losses from respiration. Here we present original data for starch metabolism in red clover and place it in the broader context of other forage legumes such as, white clover (T. repens), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). We review the application of recent advances in molecular breeding, plant biology, and crop phenotyping, to forage legumes to improve and exploit a potentially valuable trait for sustainable ruminant livestock production.

Effect of non-soy legume consumption on inflammation and serum adiponectin levels among first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes: A randomized, crossover study

ObjectiveFirst-degree relatives of patients with diabetes are at more risk for endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a non-soy legume-enriched diet on inflammatory biomarkers and serum adiponectin levels among first-degree relatives of these patients. MethodsTwenty-six participants (14 women and 12 men) with a family history of diabetes were recruited to this randomized, crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to a legume-enriched or a habitual diet for 6 wk that was separated by a 2-wk washout. The inflammatory markers—high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and serum levels of adiponectin—were measured at the beginning and the end of each intervention period according to the standard protocol. ResultsEnergy intake of participants was not statistically different between the two diets (1821.5 ± 100.11 versus 1788.2 ± 92.68 kcal/d, respectively). After consumption of a legume diet, percent change of hs-CRP reduced significantly compared with consumption of a habitual diet (−4.86% ± 1.86% versus 3.55% ± 1.97%, P = 0.002) and among the women in the study (−12.96% ± 1.96% versus 3.24% ± 2.65%, P = 0.004). The percent change of other inflammatory markers and serum concentrations of adiponectin were not significantly different between the two diet groups. ConclusionThe results of this study showed that a legume-enriched diet significantly reduced the hs-CRP concentrations in first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes after 6 wk of intervention compared with a habitual diet.

Herbage intake, methane emissions and animal performance of steers grazing dwarf elephant grass with or without access to Arachis pintoi pastures

The inclusion of legumes in diets based on grass has nutritional benefits due to ingestive and digestive interactions (Niderkorn and Baumont 2009). Moreover, it is speculated that tropical legumes can contribute to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) compared with diets exclusively composed of grasses (Archimede et al. 2011). However, under grazing conditions, these advantages are not always possible to obtain. This occurs when the spatial distribution of sward grasses limits access to legumes by grazing animals (Solomon et al. 2011). This can be the case, for example, when legumes are overlapped by the leaves of a tufted tall grass like dwarf elephant grass (Crestani et al. 2013). Considering that management strategies for increasing legume percentage in the diet of grazing animals should be investigated and data on enteric methane emitted by ruminants eating tropical forages are scarce, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects on herbage intake, animal performance and enteric methane emissions of providing access to an exclusive area of forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) for cattle grazing dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. BRS Kurumi).

Dose-dependent response of nitrogen stable isotope ratio to proportion of legumes in diet to authenticate lamb meat produced from legume-rich diets

This study investigated the dose-dependent response in lamb meat of stable nitrogen isotope ratio to the dietary proportion of legumes, and the ability of the nitrogen isotope signature of the meat to authenticate meat produced from legume-rich diets. Four groups of nine male Romane lambs grazing a cocksfoot pasture were supplemented with different levels of fresh alfalfa forage to obtain four dietary proportions of alfalfa (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%) for 98days on average before slaughter (groups L0, L25, L50 and L75). We measured the stable nitrogen isotope ratio in the forages and in the longissimus thoracis muscle. The δ15N value of the meat decreased linearly with the dietary proportion of alfalfa. The distribution of the δ15N values of the meat discriminated all the L0 lambs from the L75 lambs, and gave a correct classification score of 85.3% comparing lambs that ate alfalfa with those that did not.

Legume Genetics and Genomics: Recent Advances

Legumes are the major source for providing worldwide human food, animal feed and forage. They constitute one of the major plant groups that provide key components including proteins in the diets of resource-poor people in the world including semi-arid tropic regions. Grain legumes accounts for 27 % of the world’s primary crop production and 33 % of the dietary proteins [1]. In addition, grain legumes may be used to make bread, doughnuts, chips, snacks etc. [2]. Consumption of legumes in diet complements the nutritional profiles of cereals and tubers [1]. Some of these legumes have been used as medicine. For instance, Isoflavones from soybean and other legumes have been used to lower risk of cancer and lower serum cholesterol level [2] and thereby helps to improve overall health of human beings. Besides, legumes also sometimes serve as model crop plants for the improvement of other crops. In order to discuss the advances made in the area of legume biology the VI international conference on Legume Genetics and Genomics (ICLGG) was organized in Hyderabad, India during October 2–7, 2012. With more than 500 participants from 44 countries, it emerged as the biggest ICLGG conferences so far. It was 6th meeting in the series of ICLGG that were held earlier in USA (I & V), France (II), Australia (III) and Mexico (IV). The conference had 10 themes covered in 11 sessions with theme symbiosis and development split in two sessions. The other themes included: (i) Next Generation Genomics, (ii) Evolution and Diversity, (iii) Harnessing Germplasm Resources, (iv) Abiotic Stress, (v) Pathogenesis and Disease Resistance, (vi) Genomic Resources and Trait Mapping, (vii) Genomics-Assisted Breeding, (viii) Nutrition and Quality and (ix) Translational Genomics. All these sessions covered the entire aspects of legume genetics and genomics. In addition, a special session on ‘‘Young Scientists in Legume Genetics and Genomics’’ had presentations from eight young scientists representing range of legume crops, disciplines and countries. The details of conference program are available at http://www.icrisat.org/gt-bt/VI-ICLGG/Homepage.htm. During the conference, a total of 63 presentations were made with 57 % of them selected from the abstracts submitted by the participants, while the remaining abstracts were presented in the poster sessions. Huge amount of information has now been generated on various aspects of legumes crops and most of this was presented during this conference. However, only the summary of some selected talks is presented in this report. The innovativeness which was observed during the conference was that each poster presenter was given 1 min to talk about his/her poster before all the participants and the best performers in each theme were given awards during the closing ceremony of the conference. Several workshops were also organised before the start of actual conference on October 2, 2012, which included workshop on mungbean, the peanut genome project, small RNAs and peptides, and FabaTropiMed (an integrated project on the ecological services of legumes that is carried out through a cooperative research in six agro-ecosystems of Africa under Mediterranean or tropical climate), while R. R. Mir (&) Division of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Shere-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), Chatha, Jammu 180009, J&K, India e-mail: imrouf2006@gmail.com

Relationship between chemical components, bacterial adherence and in vitro fermentation of tropical forage legumes

Inclusion of forage legumes in diet may improve tropical ruminant systems productivity and sustainability. However, it is not well stablished which chemical components more impact their nutritional value. The relationship between chemical composition and in vitro fermentation of tropical forage legume was evaluated with the objective of obtaining indicators of their nutritional value. Samples of Crotalaria spectabilis, Cajanus cajan, Macrotyloma axillare, Mucuna aterrina, Stylosantis sp. and Canavalia ensiformis, cut from plants at growth age between 47 to 110 days, were analysed. Total gas production showed negative correlation (P&lt;0.05) with total N (R=-0.51), acid detergent fibre (ADF, R=-0.62) and acid detergent lignin (ADL, R=-0.65), and positive correlation with non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC, R=0.70). Gas production rate was negatively related (P&lt;0.05) to NDF (R=-0.73), ADF (R=-0.62) and ADL (R=-0.74). Ammonia concentration in the incubation medium was positively related (P&lt;0.05) to total (R=0.74) and soluble (R=0.56) N, and negatively related to NFC (R=-0.81). The level of bacterial adhesion on residue of incubation was negatively related (P&lt;0.05) to cell wall components, mainly to ADL (R=-0.57). The inclusion of polyehtylene glycol increased both gas volume and gas production rate whereas decreased ammonia concentration (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, even at low concentrations tannins impact the in vitro fermentation of tropical legumes. However, among the analyzed chemical components, the ADL was the best indicator of the nutritional value of the tropical forage legumes.

Abstract 137: Reversal of Endothelial Dysfunction Using Polyphenol Rich Foods and Supplements Coupled with Avoidance of Major Dietary Lectins

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is highly correlated with the development of coronary artery and vascular disease in general. While dietary factors have been previously implicated in the causation of endothelial dysfunction, a purposeful change in dietary habits, coupled with the addition of several polyphenol-containing supplements, has not been studied for their effects on endothelial function, as measured by Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT). 200 consecutive pts, aged 51-86, M:F ratio 3/2, with known vascular risk factors of HTN, DM, Hypercholesterolemia, hx of MI, Stent, CABG, were enrolled in a dietary program, which emphasizes large amts of leafy green vegetables, olive oil, radical reduction of grain, legumes, nightshades, and fruits; and generous amts of grassfed animal proteins, emphasizing Shellfish and avoiding commercial poultry (Diet Evolution). All pts were instructed to take 2-4,000 mg of high DHA fish oil, 200mg of Grape Seed Extract, and 50 mg of Pycnogenol per day. All pts had Endothelial Reactivity (ER) using PAT before and after a 5-minute arm occlusion using the EndoPAT 2000 (Itamar, Israel) at baseline and at 6 months. Baseline Endothelial Reactivity was 1.88+/-0.7 (range 1.0-3.3), with 145/200 pts (72%)having endothelial dysfunction (less than 1.60). At 6 months, ER increased to 2.25+/-0.5 (range 1.2-3.6) (p&lt;0.01). Only 40/200 (20%) remained with ED, but all had increased ER numbers. Ten pts stopped the polyphenols after a normal PAT; all developed ED on repeat PAT. We conclude that a limited grain, legume, nightshade, and fruit diet with emphasis on greens, olive oil and grassfed animal proteins, particularly Shellfish, with avoidance of commercial poultry, with supplemental fish oil and polyphenols dramatically improves endothelial function in a group of high risk patients.