Mucuna Research Articles

Effect of Processing on the Nutrient, Anti-nutrient and Functional Properties of Mucuna flagellipes (Ox-eyed Bean) Seed Flour; An Underutilized Legume in Nigeria

The promotion and consumption of underutilized legumes could help mitigate food insecurity and alleviate malnutrition in developing countries. In this study, the effect of processing on the nutritional, anti-nutritional and functional properties of Mucuna flagellipes seed flour was determined. The proximate composition of the samples showed that the flours had a range of 7.37 to 11.46 % moisture, 18.21 to 28.53% crude protein, 2.93 to 3.97% fat, 8.06 to 12.90% crude fibre, 2.74 to 4.69% ash, 38.45 to 59.09% carbohydrate, and 1446.34 to 1285.43KJ/100g energy. Profile of the amino acid showed that the lysine, leucine, tryptophan and aspartic acid in the unprocessed flour were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced by roasting. The vitamin composition of the samples showed that vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E varied between; 0.15 to 3.46 mg/100g, 0.03 to 85.54 mg/100g, 3.41 to 14.24mg/100g respectively. The mineral composition of the flours showed that the calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc contents of the samples varied between 132.02 to 167.00mg/100g, 85.91 to 145.00mg/100g, 80.95 to 132.87mg/100g; 83.74 to 145.19mg/100g, 19.90 to 33.16mg/100g and 3.96 to 6.26mg/100g, respectively. The following mineral ratios were lower than the reference balance (ideal) and also lower than the minimum in the acceptable ideal range: Ca/Mg, Ca/K, Ca/P and [K ⁄(Ca+Mg)] for all the seed flours except for Ca/P mineral ratio whose value for the roasted seed flour falls within the acceptable ideal range. The mineral safety index showed that Ca, Mg, P and Zn were all lower than the standards for all the seed flours, whereas Fe was higher than the standard in all the seed flour. The anti-nutritional factors of the samples were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced by autoclaving and roasting than by boiling and soaking methods. The calculated molar ratios of phytate:calcium, phytate:iron, phytate:zinc, oxalate:calcium and [Phytate][Calcium]/[Zinc] were below the critical value and this indicate that the bioavailability of calcium, iron, and zinc in the raw and processed seed flour could be high. The nutrient composition of the flour suggests that it has the potential to be used as both nutritional supplements and functional ingredients in the preparation of a number of baked and complementary food products.

Influencia de diferentes sistemas agroecológicos en los indicadores químicos de un suelo cultivado de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

El sistema agroecológico tiene repercusión importante en el estado nutricional del suelo, que depende de su preparación y plantas que se cultivan. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la influencia de diferentes sistemas agroecológicos en los indicadores químicos de un suelo cultivado de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Se utilizó un diseño experimental de bloques al azar, ocho tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos fueron plantas de cobertura: frijol de puerco (Canavalia ensiformis, Adans.), mucuna (Mucuna pruriens), frijol gandul (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.), crotalaria (Crotalaria sp. L.) sembradas en dos sistemas de cultivos: monocultivo y asociadas con mijo (Pennisetum glaucum L.) y dos sistemas de sistema de preparación del suelo: convencional y siembra directa. Los indicadores químicos evaluados fueron: pH, materia orgánica, macro y micros nutrientes (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn) y el rendimiento en el cultivo del frijol. El sistema de siembra directa tuvo influencia sobre los indicadores químicos del suelo, disminuyó el pH (5.26), altos contenidos de Ca y K, con valores de 1.64 y 73.21 mg kg-1 respectivamente, con respecto al sistema convencional. Los micronutrientes Cu y Zn tuvieron valores signif icativos de 0.97 y 1.38 mg kg-1 respectivamente, con respecto al sistema convencional. Los contenidos de Mg y K alcanzaron valores muy cercanos a los del suelo natural. En el rendimiento del cultivo del frijol se destacó el cultivo frijol de puerco con el mayor número de vainas por planta (14.25), granos por vainas (5.93) y granos por planta (84) y un rendimiento de 4.4 Mg ha-1.

Desempenho de Schinus terebinthifolia em sucessão a plantas de cobertura

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar os efeitos do cultivo e decomposição de plantas de cobertura sobre o crescimento e produção de biomassa de pimenta rosa cultivada em sucessão. Os tratamentos pré-cultivo foram constituídos de quatro espécies de adubos verdes (guandu; feijão de porco; crotalária; mucuna). Os tratamentos foram arranjados do delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com seis repetições. As avaliações a campo consistiram na quantificação da biomassa fresca e seca da parte aérea das diferentes espécies de adubo verde. Foram colhidas quatro plantas inteiras por parcela, da pimenta rosa, para avaliar as médias de produção de massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e raízes. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e, quando significativos pelo teste F (p<0,05), as médias foram comparadas por Tukey. Concluiu-se que a mucuna-preta, feijão-guandu, feijão-de-porco e crotalária são alternativas como adubação verde no cultivo de pimenta rosa em sucessão. O melhor desempenho da pimenta rosa em termos de produção de biomassa ocorreu em sucessão a mucuna. Somente a análise do acúmulo de biomassa pelos adubos verdes e pela planta sucessora são insuficientes para orientar a escolha de um sistema de produção.

Kualitas Serat Hasil Pengembangan Tanaman Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L) pada Lahan Pasca Tambang Batubara

Kenaf is a stem-fiber producer from the Malvaceae family that is getting serious attention from the industrial world because it has commercial value and is an environmentally friendly fiber plant due to the high kenaf ability to absorb CO2.                   The experiment of developing the kenaf plant as an effort to exploit the former coal mine in Tanah Datar Village, Muara Badak Subdistrict, East Kalimantan Province, has been done and shows that kenaf is able to grow well on the land after it was first given biochar and planted with Legume Cover Crop Mucuna sp.                   Subsequent research shows that the kenaf fibers grown on the former coal mine have good quality seen from the analysis of quality test and fiber resistance produced.

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Efficacy of the association of cover crops with maize and direct sowing short-term effect on crops? yields in maize-cotton cropping system in Western Burkina Faso.

To improve the productivity and sustainability of cotton and cereals based system, direct sowing under mulch was tested for its efficacy on cotton and maize yields on the research station of Farako-Bâ, in Western Burkina Faso. The experimental design was a complete randomized blocks of Fisher with four replications. Conventional tillage by annual moldboard plowing (T7) was compared with direct sowing under mulch-based cropping system (DMC) using maize association with cover crops defined as: maize without cover crop (T1), maize + Brachiaria ruziziensis (T2), maize + B. ruziziensis + Mucuna cochinchinensis (T3), maize + B. ruziziensis + Panicum maximum (T4), maize + B. ruziziensis + Stylosanthes hamata (T5), and maize + Crotalaria juncea (T6). Cover crops were planted 21 days after maize emergence between the rows of this main crop. The biomass produced by the cover crops and maize straws were evaluated as well as maize and cotton yields, during the first 6 years of the study, from 2010 to 2015. Results showed that among cover crops, the biomass production was significantly lower with C. juncea. The associations of cover crops with maize increased significantly the production of total dry matter compared to plots without cover crops, in the conventional tillage. Association with cover crops did not influence significantly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of maize and the maize’s yields even if the depressive effects were recorded. Compared to the conventional tillage, the DMC appeared also effective on seed cotton yields even without a significant improvement during the 6 first years of the study. These promising results, confirm the feasibility in tropical conditions of DMC which must be continued to better analyze its long-term effects on soil properties. Key words: Cover crops, mulch-based cropping system (DMC), conventional tillage, biomass, yield.

Use of Mucuna pruriens Powder Instead of Levodopa

There has been considerable interest in the Mucuna pruriens variant utilis (MP) as an alternative to levodopa. MP is a leguminous plant that grows in both tropical and subtropical environments. The MP seed contains levodopa, and Parkinson experts have long encountered patients who have used a MP formulation instead of traditional Sinemet or Madopar. Investigators examined the safety of a single dose of nonpharmacologically processed MP powder derived from roasted seeds. Each of 18 subjects with Parkinson's disease received in random sequence: …

Effect of Mucuna species (Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens) flour and protein concentrate on quality of beef sausages

This study aimed at substituting animal proteins by Mucuna flour and protein concentrate in beef sausage. Mucuna pruriens var pruriens grains were first transformed into flour (500 µm) from which the protein concentrate was obtained. The extraction process was done in an aqueous medium at pH 4.5. Following the characterization of the flour and protein concentrate, 5 sausages samples (3 units per sample) with varying rates of incorporation of flour and protein concentrates (25, 50, 75 and 100%) as well as a reference made with 100% beef were produced. Quality of emulsion sausages was evaluated in terms of physicochemical and functional characteristics. The results obtained showed that protein content of Mucuna flour and protein concentrate was significantly different (p < 0.05), with values of 29.92 ± 0.51 and 59.74 ± 0.32%, respectively. For the functional properties, water retention capacity (333.32 g/100 g/100 g), emulsifying capacity (60.44%), jellification capacity (12 g/100 g) and foaming capacity (52.38%) were higher in the flour sample; whereas the oil retention capacity (290.33 g/100 g DMC) was higher in the protein concentrate. Incorporation rate had a significant influence (p<0.05) on the physicochemical and functional properties of the sausage samples produced, since the technological yield was observed to vary from 73.10±0.71 (S25) to 99.49±0.05% (S100), hardness from 3.43 ± 0.35 (S100) to 3.94 ± 0.05 N (S25) and the water retention capacity varied from 33.34±0.79 (S25) to 51.93±0.045% (S100). These parameters were observed to increase with an increase in the rate of substitution. Key words: Mucuna flour, Mucuna protein concentrate, beef sausage, functional characterizations.

Two cases of bat pollination in Central America

Visits by bats of the family ,Phyllostomatidae (in the suborder Microchi­roptera) to the flowers of Durio zibethinus growing in Honduras and Mucuna andreana growing in Costa Rica are described and illustrated photographically. In Durio we have a case of flower-type which evolved in relation to visits from Megachiroptera in the Old World proving attractive to Microchiroptera which developed the flower-visiting habit in the New World. Hawkmoths also visit these flowers. Both kinds of visitor are capable of causing cross-pollination (which is necessary for fruit production by this species because it appears to be self-incompatible) . In Mucuna andreana , a native American vine demons­ trates a close adaptation to pollination by native bats; again a parallel to similar evolutionary development in the Old World.

Localization of oestrogen hormone receptors in the reproductive tract of giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata) and potential role of Mucuna pruriens on level of expression

This study determines localization of oestrogen hormone receptors in selected parts of the reproductive tract of giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata) and potential role of Mucuna pruriens on levels of expression. Thirty (30) snails were used for this experiment, with average weight of 100-150g. The snails were allotted to three dietary treatments which includes concentrate (CON), concentrate + Mucuna pruriens (CON+MSP) and Mucuna pruriens seed powder only (MSP). Each treatment contains 10 Replicate each. After eight weeks, five snails were randomly selected from each dietary treatment and dissected. Organs removed were oviduct, albumen gland, ovo-testis and the spermatheca. RNA and DNA extractions were carried out with commercial kits. Gel electrophoresis on 1% agarose was also carried out to evaluate the expression. Primers sequence used were the forward and reverse β oestrogen primer which was designed to detect the expression of the gene encoding oestrogen receptor in the reproductive tract of the giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata) were: Forward: 5’-GCT TCG AGC TCA GCC TG-3’ Reverse: 5’-AGG ATC ATG GCC TTG ACA CAG A-3’. Result showed that receptors for estrogen were present in oviduct, albumen gland, ovo-testis and spermatheca for both RNA and DNA analysis considering CON and MSP. While oviduct was also moderately expressed for CON and MSP. But combination of concentrate and Mucuna seed powder (CON+MSP) showed no visible expression for estrogen receptor. It was however concluded that combination of concentrate and mucuna seed powder (CON+MSP) down-regulate expression of estrogen receptor gene expression. It was recommended that feed to be combined for snail production must be free from substance(s) that has the potential to block the expression of reproductive hormone function.

M‐A‐T (Mucuna, Ashwagandha and Tribulus) Enhances Testosterone and Reduces Oxidative Stress: In Vivo Model

BackgroundMucuna, Ashwagandha and Tribulus (M‐A‐T) are a traditional herbal medicine used to enhance sexual health and functional activities. This study investigates the possible role of M‐A‐T at two different doses (30 mg M‐A‐T and 60 mg M‐A‐T) on sex hormones (testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone), oxidative stress (serum and testis MDA), sperm motility, count and rate and gene proteins with the intent to show its usefulness in improving sexual health.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn this experimental study, we randomly divided 36 rats into four groups: I. Negative control, II. Positive control‐treated, III. M‐A‐T 1 (10 mg Mucuna(M), 10 mg Ashwagandha (A) and 10 mg Tribulus (T)/kg BW) IV. M‐A‐T 2‐treated (20 mg Mucuna, 20 mg Ashwagandha and 20 mg Tribulus/kg BW) was administrated 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the sex hormones [testosterone (TT), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)], oxidative stress (serum and testis MDA), sperm motility, count and rate and gene proteins (NFkB, Nrf2 and HO1) of all rats’ sera were determined by radioimmunoassay and Elisa kits. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the ANOVA, followed by post‐hoc Tukey test. P&lt;0.05 was considered significant.RESULTSThe M‐A‐T 1 and M‐A‐T 2 group had a significantly increased TT, FSH and LH level than the control group (p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference between the treated M‐A‐T 1 and 2 groups. The treated control group had a significant decrease in serum and testis MDA levels, decrease in NFkB and an increase in Nrf2 and HO1 was observed in both M‐A‐T treated groups than controls. M‐A‐T 1 and 2 significantly improved sperm motility, count and rate. No significant changes in liver and kidney functions (ALT, AST, creatine, ALP and urea) in any of the treated groups.CONCLUSIONOral consumption of M‐A‐T could improve sexual health and function by enhancing sex hormones and reducing oxidative stress.Support or Funding InformationOmniActive Health Technologies Inc.

Effect of two different germplasm of Mucuna pruriens seed extracts against some fish pathogens

To investigate the two different germplasm of Mucuna seeds were collected from agro geographical regions was evaluated for its antibacterial activities. Antibacterial activity of the seed extracts was studied against the fish pathogens of Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Vibrio cholera and Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion method. Results showed that methanol and ethanol extracts showed more potent antibacterial activity than other solvent extracts. The results were expressed as mean SD. The results obtained in the study shows that velvet bean black seed extract has more antibacterial activity against fish pathogens. The antibacterial activity of all the Mucuna seed extracts are comparable ad their potential as alternative in the treatment of infectious by these microorganisms was present in the fish. Susceptibility testing is conducted on isolates using drug selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use I fish production.

Towards sustainable broiler production – does use of processed velvet bean (mucuna pruiens) as an adjunct protein substitute for soyabean affect broiler performance?

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of processed velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) on performance in broiler chickens. After harvesting, the velvet beans were processed to reduce the effect of anti-nutritional factors. The beans where de-coated by cracking and socking in cold water. The water was changed after every 24hours, for six days until the black colour was removed, which could be observed by failure to further taint the water black or grey. After this, the seeds where then cooked for six hours, dried, ground and then mixed with other ingredients to formulate the experimental diets. Diets were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10 and 15% levels of processed velvet bean seed meal respectively. Two hundred unsexed day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into eight different pens with 25 birds per pen. The four diets of graded Velvet bean levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of the soya bean portion where randomly assigned to the 8 pens of chicks such that there were two pens or replicates per each diet in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD). Results of the feeding trial showed that average weights of livers, spleen and gizzards generally decreased with increase in proportion of velvet bean in the diet. Broiler performance was compromised with inclusion levels of above 5% as was demonstrated with drastic reduction in feed intake, weights and feed utilisation efficiency. The results revealed that up to 5% processed velvet bean could be included in broiler diets without significant deleterious effects on performance.

A Linear Programming Approach to Food Crops and Livestock Enterprises Planning in Aba Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria

Linear programming technique was applied to farm data obtained from thirty arable crop farmers during 2010 farming season to maximize gross margin from various combination of arable crop and selected livestock enterprises. Optimization and reallocation of available resources were found to bring significant changes in the existing plan. Twenty enterprises were observed in the existing plan made up of one sole crop, fourteen crop mixtures and five livestock enterprises across poultry, fish and piggery which an average farmer would make a gross margin of N232, 317.12. However the LP maximization model recommended that for optimum gross margin of N374, 850.00 which is about 61.35% of the existing gross margin, an average farmer should devote 0.31 hectare to yam/maize/melon, 0.33 hectare to cassava/maize/cocoyam and 1.30 hectares to Cassava/Maize/Yam/Mucuna Floanei while 0.14 of 500 birds of broiler 1 raised usually between January ‐ May and 0.11 of 1000 fish of fish 2 done between July ‐ December and 0.07 of 15 pigs be produced. Given the mean farm size of 0.45 hectares, the farming orientation is still subsistence. It is recommended that crop mixtures be undertaken by farmers in combination with poultry and fish enterprises for improved gross margin. Policies of Government should be geared

Evaluation of the chemical composition of Mucuna utilis leaves used in herbal medicine in Southeastern Nigeria

The increased interest in the biological activities of the leaves of Mucuna utilis necessitated this study which evaluated the chemical composition, especially the presence of antiphysiological and toxic factors in the leaves. The results of the phytochemical analyses were: alkaloid, 9.60 ± 0.141%; flavonoids, 4.90 ± 0.20%; saponins, 24.60 ± 1.979%; tannins, 32.55 ± 0.778% and cyanoglycosides 20.736 ± 0.91%.The results showed crude protein to be 31.91 ± 2.60%; carbohydrate, 53.65± 2.11%; crude fibre 14.80 ± 0.42%; moisture ,11.37 ± 0.632%; ash, 0.11± 0.01% and crude fat, 2.97 ± 0.009. The results also showed appreciable presence of macro and micro-elements, while the ascorbic acid and vitamin A contents were 25.36 ± 0.212 and 9.83 ± 0.15 mg/100g respectively. These results showed that the leaves of M. utilis are a veritable source of useful phytochemicals of high medicinal value for human and animals. It also showed that the leaves of M. utilis can be used to fulfill the growing demands of plant-based proteins for humans and livestock and source of important minerals and nutrients. The importance of effective processing to reduce the level of toxic and inhibitory substances was emphasized. Key words: Mucuna utilis, leaves, phytochemicals, medicinal, nutritional, toxic.

Evaluation of Mucuna utilis germplasm for higher biomass production, active principle and seed yield

Mucuna pruriens var utilis is a high value medicinal crop grown for its seed to extract L-3,4-dihyroxy-phenylalanine (L-DOPA). L-DOPA used against Parkinson’s disease although Mucuna utilis is having commercial value for its seed, there has been no commercial variety identified for cultivation, superior in seed yield or in active principle. Hence a field study was proposed for evaluation of germplasm for total biomass production, active principle and seed yield. Field experiment was conducted using 13 genotypes to evaluate germplasm for higher biomass production, active principle and seed yield at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Results suggested that IIHR MP 09 recorded highest number of bunches per plant, number of pods per bunch, number of seeds per pod. IIHR MP 03 recorded highest pod length (10.40 cm) and pod weight (11.49 g) and IC 33243 recorded highest 100- seed weight (132.06 g). Seed yield (180.88 g m-2) found to be recorded the highest in IIHR MP 09 and active principle L-DOPA per cent in seed sample varied from 6.61 per cent in IIHR MP 02 to 4.11 per cent in IIHR MP 17. Key words: Mucuna pruriens, seed yield, L-DOPA.

Decomposition and nitrogen release by green manure legume residues in different soil types

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted over a 16-week period to determine decomposition and N release by three green manure legume species, Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens), Lablab (Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai) and Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea), in three soil types from South Africa. The amount of N mineralized from the residues was determined at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks from the onset of incubation. Nitrogen release pattern of the three legume residues followed a similar pattern in all the three soils, with sunhemp treated soil having the highest amount of mineral N after 16 weeks of incubation in all the three soils, followed by lablab and then mucuna. The amount of mineral N ranged from 121 to170, 96 to 134 and 92 to 108 mg kg-1 in the sunhemp, lablab and mucuna treated soils, respectively. The cumulative amounts of N from the legume residues mineralized recovered as mineral N in soil after 16 weeks of incubation ranged from 21 - 41% (92 - 121 mg kg-1), 30 - 68% (108 - 170 mg kg-1) and 26 - 60% (93 - 147 mg kg-1) of the initial added N contained in the residues in the soils with 62, 20 and 12% clay contents, respectively. Less than 50% of the initial added N was mineralized in the high clay content soil. Mineralization rate constant, k, was significantly correlated to the residue N content, net mineralized N, C/N ratio and Lignin/N ratio. Results from this study indicated that all the three legumes could contribute significant amounts of N for uptake by plants, with sunhemp tending to release N at a faster rate, followed by lablab and then mucuna. High clay content in soil slowed down N mineralization. Key words: Green manure legumes, incubation, decomposition, N release, soil type.

The Feeding Value of Toasted Mucuna Seed Meal Diets for Growing Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The Feeding Value of Toasted Mucuna Seed Meal Diets for Growing Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Effect of length of soaking in water at room temperature and hot water treatment on the germination of &lt;i&gt;Mucuna Flagellipes (Vogel ex hook)&lt;/i&gt; seeds

No abstract Keywords: Mucuna flagellipes ; seed pre treatment; germination Global Journal of Agricutural Sciences Vol. 4(1) 2005: 15-18

An assessment of the nutritive value of browsed plants in Makurdi, Nigeria

Twenty-five plant species were identified as useful cattle feedstuff during peak dry season in Makurdi, Benue State. Leguminous species accounted for over 48% of the browse. The browsed plants were classified on the basis of frequency of browsing into those heavily, moderately or occasionally browsed by cattle and analysed for chemical constituents. The samples showed high nutritive potentials with crude protein values of 14% in 92% of the samples. The lowest crude protein value was in Mucuna poggei (10.9%) while the highest was in Lonchocarpus cyanescens (31.7%). The heavily browsed group was superior to the other groups in protein content (21.4%) and in calculated in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (50.6%). The IVOMD values ranged from 32.7 to 52.4%. The relationship between IVOMD and crude protein was negative and non-significant (r = - 0.22). Generally, the mineral content was high with the heavily browsed species containing higher calcium (1.52%) and phosphorus levels (0.35%) than either the moderately (1.22% Ca and 0.22% P) or the occasionally (1.15% Ca and 0.32% P) browsed groups. The vital role of browse as a feedstuff for cattle especially in the dry season and the need to propagate them in plantations in the Middle Belt zone were emphasized. [Niger Agric. J. 33 (2002): 128-135]