Protein-rich Crop Research Articles

The potential of young vegetative quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) as a new sustainable protein-rich winter leafy crop under Mediterranean climate

The demand for protein products has significantly risen in the last few years. In western countries, animals are the primary source of protein; however, plants could take a share of this market due to lower production costs, among other advantages such as a lower environmental footprint. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a well-known but under-utilized protein-rich crop, commonly cultivated for grain production. These plants were recently evaluated for their use as a non-traditional, green leafy crop. Here we assessed the potential of young vegetative quinoa as a new sustainable winter leafy crop in Israel—serving as a model for Mediterranean semi-arid regions, by evaluating yield, protein content and quality. Five quinoa accessions were sown on three winter sowing dates over two consecutive years. Plants were harvested when they reached 10% dry matter (DM). DM yield ranged between 574 and 1,982 kg ha-1 and was generally higher in the second year. Protein content ranged from 14.4–34% and was generally higher in the first year. Protein yield ranged from 111–471 kg ha-1 and was greatest on the December sowing date. DM and protein yields were positively correlated with plant density. Protein content was negatively correlated with plant density and DM yield. Our findings show that 200 g DM of young vegetative quinoa can meet the protein and most essential amino acid requirements for a 70 kg human adult. Prospects for cultivating young vegetative quinoa in Mediterranean countries as a new sustainable, protein-rich winter leafy crop are therefore high, as supported by its high protein yields and quality, and its requirement for only scant irrigation. Further studies should examine economic and other agrotechnical parameters toward the geographical distribution and expansion of young vegetative quinoa cultivation.

Ethylene enhances transcriptions of asparagine biosynthetic genes in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) leaves

ABSTRACT Soybean, a vital protein-rich crop, offers bioactivity that can mitigate various chronic human diseases. Nonetheless, soybean breeding poses a challenge due to the negative correlation between enhanced protein levels and overall productivity. Our previous studies demonstrated that applying gaseous phytohormone, ethylene, to soybean leaves significantly boosts the accumulation of free amino acids, particularly asparagine (Asn). Current studies also revealed that ethylene application to soybeans significantly enhanced both essential and non-essential amino acid contents in leaves and stems. Asn plays a crucial role in ammonia detoxification and reducing fatigue. However, the molecular evidence supporting this phenomenon remains elusive. This study explores the molecular mechanisms behind enhanced Asn accumulation in ethylene-treated soybean leaves. Transcriptional analysis revealed that ethylene treatments to soybean leaves enhance the transcriptional levels of key genes involved in Asn biosynthesis, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and Asn synthetase (ASN), which aligns with our previous observations of elevated Asn levels. These findings shed light on the role of ethylene in upregulating Asn biosynthetic genes, subsequently enhancing Asn concentrations. This molecular insight into amino acid metabolism regulation provides valuable knowledge for the metabolic farming of crops, especially in elevating nutraceutical ingredients with non-genetic modification (GM) approach for improved protein content.

A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Region Associated with Seed Protein Content in Cowpea.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp., 2n = 2x = 22) is a protein-rich crop that complements staple cereals for humans and serves as fodder for livestock. It is widely grown in Africa and other developing countries as the primary source of protein in the diet; therefore, it is necessary to identify the protein-related loci to improve cowpea breeding. In the current study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 161 cowpea accessions (151 USDA germplasm plus 10 Arkansas breeding lines) with a wide range of seed protein contents (21.8~28.9%) with 110,155 high-quality whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify markers associated with protein content, then performed genomic prediction (GP) for future breeding. A total of seven significant SNP markers were identified using five GWAS models (single-marker regression (SMR), the general linear model (GLM), Mixed Linear Model (MLM), Fixed and Random Model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU), and Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK), which are located at the same locus on chromosome 8 for seed protein content. This locus was associated with the gene Vigun08g039200, which was annotated as the protein of the thioredoxin superfamily, playing a critical function for protein content increase and nutritional quality improvement. In this study, a genomic prediction (GP) approach was employed to assess the accuracy of predicting seed protein content in cowpea. The GP was conducted using cross-prediction with five models, namely ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction (rrBLUP), Bayesian ridge regression (BRR), Bayesian A (BA), Bayesian B (BB), and Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (BL), applied to seven random whole genome marker sets with different densities (10 k, 5 k, 2 k, 1 k, 500, 200, and 7), as well as significant markers identified through GWAS. The accuracies of the GP varied between 42.9% and 52.1% across the seven SNPs considered, depending on the model used. These findings not only have the potential to expedite the breeding cycle through early prediction of individual performance prior to phenotyping, but also offer practical implications for cowpea breeding programs striving to enhance seed protein content and nutritional quality.

The Potential Role of Iceland in Northern Europe's Protein Self-Sufficiency: Feasibility Study of Large-Scale Production of Spirulina in a Novel Energy-Food System.

Europe is dependent on protein-rich crop imports to meet domestic food demand. This has moved the topic of sustainable protein self-sufficiency up the policy agenda. The current study assesses the feasibility of protein self-sufficiency in Iceland, and its capacity to meet Northern Europe's demand, based on industrial-scale cultivation of Spirulina in novel production units. Production units currently operating in Iceland, and laboratory-derived nutritional profile for the Spirulina cultivated, provide the basis for a theoretical protein self-sufficiency model. Integrating installed and potentially installed energy generation data, the model elaborates six production scale-up scenarios. Annual biomass produced is compared with recommended dietary allowance figures for protein and essential amino acids to determine whether Northern Europe's population demands can be met in 2030. Results show that Iceland could be protein self-sufficient under the most conservative scenario, with 20,925 tonnes of Spirulina produced using 15% of currently installed capacity. In a greater allocation of energy capacity used by heavy industry, Iceland could additionally meet the needs of Lithuania, or Latvia, Estonia, Jersey, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Faroe Islands. Under the most ambitious scenario utilizing planned energy projects, Iceland could support itself plus Denmark, or Finland, or Norway, or Ireland with up to 242,366 tonnes of biomass. On a protein-per-protein basis, each kilogram of Spirulina consumed instead of beef could save 0.315 tonnes CO2-eq. Under the most ambitious scenario, this yields annual savings of 75.1 million tonnes CO2-eq or 7.3% of quarterly European greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, practicalities of production scale-up are discussed.

Legume Protein Extracts: The Relevance of Physical Processing in the Context of Structural, Techno-Functional and Nutritional Aspects of Food Development

Legumes are sustainable protein-rich crops with numerous industrial food applications, which give them the potential of a functional food ingredient. Legume proteins have appreciable techno-functional properties (e.g., emulsification, foaming, water absorption), which could be affected along with its digestibility during processing. Extraction and isolation of legumes’ protein content makes their use more efficient; however, exposure to the conditions of further use (such as temperature and pressure) results in, and significantly increases, changes in the structural, and therefore functional and nutritional, properties. The present review focuses on the quality of legume protein concentrates and their changes under the influence of different physical processing treatments and highlights the effect of processing techniques on the structural, functional, and some of the nutritional, properties of legume proteins.

Orphan Genes in Crop Improvement: Enhancing Potato Tuber Protein without Impacting Yield.

Qua-Quine Starch (QQS), an Arabidopsis thaliana orphan gene, and its interactor, Arabidopsis Nuclear Factor Y subunit C4 (AtNF-YC4), can increase the total leaf and seed protein in different plants. Despite their potential in developing protein-rich crop varieties, their influence on the protein content of the stem, modified stem, and tuber was never investigated. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most valuable food crops worldwide. This staple food is rich in starch, vitamins (B6, C), phenolics, flavonoids, polyamines, carotenoids, and various minerals but lacks adequate proteins necessary for a healthy human diet. Here we expressed A. thaliana QQS (AtQQS) and overexpressed S. tuberosum NF-YC4 (StNF-YC4) in potatoes to determine their influence on the composition and morphological characteristics of potato tubers. Our data demonstrated higher protein and reduced starch content in potato tubers without significantly compromising the tuber yield, shape, and numbers, when QQS was expressed or StNF-YC4 was overexpressed. Publicly available expression data, promoter region, and protein-protein interaction analyses of StNF-YC4 suggest its potential functionality in potato storage protein, metabolism, stress resistance, and defense against pests and pathogens. The overall outcomes of this study support QQS and NF-YC4's potential utilization as tools to enhance tuber protein content in plants.

The effect of long-and short-stemmed oat in vetch-oat intercropping on weed infestation, agronomic performance, and grain quality in low input systems

As protein-rich crops, grain legumes are of great importance in organic farming. Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) has not only a higher protein content than faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) but also has lower requirements for soil and climatic conditions. The phenology of common vetch with the formation of high biomass requires cultivation in an intercropping system with a strong partner ensuring a stable crop stand for machine harvest of the grains. In this study, low- and high-growing common vetch cultivars were intercropped with short- and long-stemmed oats in different seed ratios to find the best combination of both. Therefore, a field trial was conducted at the Thünen Institute of Organic Farming in Northern Germany in a randomised block design with four replications over three years. The agronomic performance showed a slight inhibition in pod formation of vetches in long-stemmed oat mixtures. Furthermore, the high-growing vetch suppressed the short-stemmed oat more than the long-stemmed oat. The two different growth characters of oat had no effect on weed suppression. Moreover, the high-growing vetch showed better weed suppression over all seed ratios in comparison to the low-growing vetch due to its vigorous growth and higher crop height. The regression models showed a strong influence of the year on total and partial grain and protein yields. Long-stemmed oat mixtures had a higher total grain yield than short-stemmed oat mixtures. A comparison of the common vetch cultivars in long-stemmed oat-mixtures demonstrates a total grain yield advantage for mixtures of high-growing vetch (5.3 Mg ha−1 dry matter (d. m.) (2016)) than for low-growing vetch (5.0 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016)) in seed mixtures with a 51.9 % and a 44.6 % share of vetch. In short-stemmed oat mixtures, total grain yields of 4.2 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016) were estimated for the low-growing vetch as well as for the high-growing vetch in seed mixtures with a 48.8 % and a 33.6 % share of vetch, respectively. The total grain yields of intercropped common vetches were higher than the respective sole-cropped cultivars. According to the regression model, a maximum total protein yield of 1.0 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2014 and 2015) was estimated for the high-growing vetch in a seed mixture with 79.8 % (2014) and 59.6 % (2015) share of vetch in short- and long-stemmed oat, respectively. The low-growing vetch had the highest total protein yields of 0.8 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016) in short-stemmed oat mixtures with a 61.9 % share of vetch in the seed mixture. When intercropped with long-stemmed oat, the total protein yield of low-growing vetch-mixtures was lower with 0.7 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016) in a seed mixture with a 59.6 % share of vetch. Mixtures showed a total grain yield advantage for high-growing vetches in both oat cultivars. Seed mixtures with a 34–64 % share of vetch reached the highest total grain yields. High total protein yields were reached in seed mixtures with higher vetch shares of 58–83 % for the high-growing and 60–95 % for the low-growing vetch. However, the risk of collapse of crop stand increased with high precipitation and high shares of vetch in the seed mixture which makes a machine harvest for grain yield challenging. Therefore, a seed mixture with a 50 % share of vetch is recommended to reach high levels of grain and protein yield but also to prevent an overgrowth of the cereal.

Regulation of the Zinc Deficiency Response in the Legume Model Medicago truncatula.

The zinc deficiency response in Arabidopsis thaliana is regulated by F-group basic region leucine-zipper (F-bZIP) transcription factors, and there is evidence of evolutionary conservation of this regulatory network in land plants. Fundamental knowledge on the zinc homeostasis regulation in crop species will contribute to improving their zinc nutritional value. Legumes are protein-rich crops, used worldwide as part of traditional diets and as animal forage, being therefore a good target for micronutrient biofortification. Here, we identified F-bZIP transcription factors in representative legume species and functionally characterized the two F-bZIPs from Medicago truncatula. Results indicate that MtFbZIP1 is the functional homolog of A. thaliana bZIP19 and bZIP23, while MtFbZIP2 does not play a role in the zinc deficiency response. Additionally, analysis of M. truncatula genes from the Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP) family of zinc transporters or encoding nicotianamine synthase enzymes that produce the zinc ligand nicotianamine, support the conservation of the F-bZIP-regulated zinc deficiency response in M. truncatula. Phylogenetic analysis of F-bZIP homologs enriched in legume species reinforces the branching into two groups, with MtFbZIP1 and MtFbZIP2 mapping in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. This phylogeny combined with the functional characterization of MtFbZIPs supports the suggested conservation of the zinc deficiency response associated with Group 1 F-bZIPs, and the more variable evolutionary paths associated with Group 2. Overall, we provide novel insight on the mechanisms of response to zinc deficiency in M. truncatula, which contributes to developing strategies for improving zinc content in legume crops.

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.): A Current Review

Lentil was first cultivated 8000–10,000 years ago and is a protein-rich crop. It is an important dietary component in many Mediterranean and Asian countries but allergic reactions to lentil intake was reported in some countries. Lentil yield is a key and difficult trait to enhance for crop genetic improvement. Several biotic and abiotic variables such as drought, high temperature, salinity, mineral deficiency and fungal diseases limit the production of lentils. Landraces and wild relatives are more tolerant to adverse environmental conditions. Molecular tools to assist breeding efforts in lentil are less well developed in comparison with other crops. Due to its excellent and balanced nutritional composition, the use of lentil flour in bakery, extruded and other products is gaining attention from food technologists and industry. In this review, some valuable information related to lentil is extracted from international articles published in last two years and presented here.

​Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Growth, Yield Attributes and Nutrient Uptake of Soybean in Vertisols of Rajasthan

Background: Soybean [Glycie max (L.) Merril] is a very important oil seed and protein rich crop. It has the specific character to fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodule bacteria in symbiotic relationship. A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2019 at ARS farm, College of Agriculture, Ummedganj, Kota (Rajasthan). To find out the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on growth, yield attributes and nutrient uptake of soybean in Vertisols of Rajasthan. The soil of the experimental field comes under Vertisols with clay loam texture having low to medium fertility status and good porosity. Methods: The experiment consisted of 10 treatments viz. T0- Control (Absolute), T1- RDF (20-40-40), T2- 75% RDF + FYM (2.0 t ha-1), T3- 50% RDF + FYM (4.0 t ha-1), T4- 75% RDF + FYM (2.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium, T5- 50% RDF + FYM (4.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium, T6- 75% RDF + Vermicompost (1.0 t ha-1), T7- 50% RDF + Vermicompost (2.0 t ha-1), T8- 75% RDF + Vermicompost (1.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium, T9- 50% RDF + Vermicompost (2.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design and was replicated thrice. Result: Among the nutrient management treatment, application of 75% RDF + Vermicompost (1.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium (T8) resulted into maximum plant height (58.70 cm), branches plant-1 (5.60), chlorophyll content (2.84 mg g-1), total nodules per plant (47.40), effective nodules (31.59) and dry weight (84.20 mg), pods plant-1 (41.90), seeds pod-1 (3.47), grain yield (1380 kg ha-1), haulm yield (1885 kg ha-1), biological yield (3325 kg ha-1), protein (42.25%) and oil content (19.92%), N, P, K content and their uptake, with maximum gross return (53042.71 Rs ha-1), net return (28980.71 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.20) in soybean crop.

Could domestic soybean production avoid Europe’s protein imports in 2050?

The European Union has a high demand for plant proteins for food and feed. Its self-sufficiency rate is about 5% for soya crude proteins. The European Union and its Member States have launched initiatives for reducing soya imports that come mainly from South America and promoting domestic production of protein-rich crops. In the future, climate suitability for soybean cultivation is likely to increase in oceanic and continental Europe. The recent AE2050 study (INRAE. 2020. Role of European agriculture in world trade by 2050: Balancing climate change and global food security issues. Summary report of the study. INRAE (France), 12 p; Tibi A, Forslund A, Debaeke P, et al. 2020. Place des agricultures européennes dans le monde à l’horizon 2050 : entre enjeux climatiques et défis de la sécurité alimentaire. Rapport de synthèse de l’étude. INRAE (France), 159 p + Annexes) concluded that, in some parts of Europe (defined here as the European Union-27 plus other Balkan countries, Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom), cropland requirements in 2050 may be lower than “2010” cropland areas given possible changes in European food demand (related to glooming demographic growth and under the assumption of healthy diets) and in crop yields (influenced by technological developments and climate change). In this study, we examine to what extent this “cropland surplus” could be used to increase soybean production in Europe and reduce the dependency ratio on protein imports. Only in the case of a Healthy Diets scenario (less meat consumption, inducing less animals fed with cakes), substantial soybean acreages could be envisaged to reduce the European reliance on imports. In addition to the surplus allowed by increasing yields, land surplus was also made available by the reduction of livestock production and its grain feed requirements. The best-case scenario, combining healthy diets and trend-based yield growth, would reduce European imports to only 15% of its total domestic requirements versus 45% for the Trend-based Diets scenario. This can be compared to a dependency rate of 51% in our base year “2010”, and of 53%–54% for the two 2050 scenarios without growing soybean on cropland surplus. If the range of these quite optimistic estimations of surplus land dedicated to soybean was reduced to more plausible levels (limited to 10% of annual field cropland in 2050) and considering current soybean yield levels (“2019” instead of “2010”), the decrease in Europe’s oil cake imports levels would be lower. However, its dependency rate could still be reduced from 54% to 46% in the Trend-based Diets scenario, and from 53% to 38% in the Healthy Diets scenario. One important conclusion is that adopting healthy diets would allow a significant reduction of imports of soybean cakes from abroad with expected environmental benefits in Europe and overseas. On the supply side, challenges for a higher self-sufficiency rate of proteins in Europe resulting from the development of soybean domestic production will come from both available and suitable crop areas, attainable yields and relative profitability.

Protein glycation and drought response of pea (<em>Pisum sativum</em> L.) root nodule proteome: a proteomics approach

Because of ongoing climate change, drought is becoming the major factor limiting productivity of all plants, including legumes. As these protein-rich crops form symbiotic associations with rhizobial bacteria — root nodules — they readily lose their productivity under drought conditions. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms might give access to new strategies to preserve the productivity of legume crops under dehydration. As was shown recently, development of drought response is accompanied by alterations in the patterns of protein glycation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that might be a part of unknown regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, here we address the effects of moderate drought on protein dynamics and AGE patterns in pea (Pisum sativum) root nodules. For this, plants inoculated with rhizobial culture were subjected to osmotic stress for one week, harvested, the total protein fraction was isolated from root nodules by phenol extraction, analyzed by bottom-up LC-MS-based proteomics, and AGE patterns were characterized. Surprisingly, despite the clear drought-related changes in phenotype and stomatal conductivity, only minimal accompanying expressional changes (14 rhizobial and 14 pea proteins, mostly involved in central metabolism and nitrogen fixation) could be observed. However, 71 pea and 97 rhizobial proteins (mostly transcription factors, ABC transporters and effector enzymes) were glycated, with carboxymethylation being the major modification type. Thereby, the numbers of glycated sites in nodule proteins dramatically decreased upon stress application. It might indicate an impact of glycation in regulation of transport, protein degradation, central, lipid and nitrogen metabolism. The data are available at Proteome Xchange (accession: PXD024042).

Reducing the European Union's plant protein deficit: Options and impacts

The EU has a historical deficit of plant protein and is heavily reliant on imports to sustain domestic livestock production. Using an economic model of global agricultural markets, this article investigates three policy drivers that could have an influence on the increased production of protein-rich crops in the EU, namely coupled payments for protein-rich crops, investment in research and development leading to higher yields, and phasing out of imported high indirect land-use change risk biofuel feedstocks. Results indicate that a one per cent annual increase in yields over the medium-term has a much larger effect on EU domestic protein production than additional coupled payments of EUR 75 per ha. Moreover, phasing out palm-based biodiesel only has a small impact on protein self-sufficiency. A significant unknown is how costly it will be to increase the yields on protein crops grown in the EU.

Can intercropping be an adaptation to drought? A model‐based analysis for pearl millet–cowpea

AbstractCereal–legume intercropping is promoted within semi‐arid regions as an adaptation strategy to water scarcity and drought for low‐input systems. Our objectives were firstly to evaluate the crop model APSIM for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.))—cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) intercropping—and secondly to investigate the hypothesis that intercropping provides complimentary yield under drought conditions. The APSIM model was evaluated against data from a two year on station field experiment during the dry season of a semi‐arid environment in Patancheru, India, with severe, partial and no water deficit stress (well‐watered); densities of 17 and 33 plants per m−2, and intercrop and sole crop production of pearl millet and cowpea. Overall, APSIM captured the dynamics of grain yields, indicated by the Willmott Index of Agreement (IA: 1 optimal, 0 the worst) 0.91 from 36 data points (n), total biomass (IA: 0.90, n = 144), leaf area index (LAI, IA = 0.77, n = 66), plant height (IA 0.96, n = 104 pearl millet) and cowpea (IA 0.81, n = 102), as well as soil water (IA 0.73, n = 126). Model accuracy was reasonable in absolute terms (RMSE pearl millet 469 kg/ha and cowpea 322 kg/ha). However, due to low observed values (observed mean yield pearl millet 1,280 kg/ha and cowpea 555 kg/ha), the relative error was high, a known aspect for simulation accuracy in low‐yielding environments. The simulation experiment compared the effect of intercropping pearl millet and cowpea versus sole cropping under different plant densities and water supplies. A key finding was that intercropping pearl millet and cowpea resulted in similar total yields to the sole pearl millet. Both sole and intercrop systems responded strongly to increasing water supply, except sole cropped cowpea, which performed relatively better under low water supply. High plant density had a consistent effect, leading to lower yields under low water supply. Higher yields were achieved under high density, but only when water supply was high: absolute highest total intercrop yields were 4,000 (high density) and 3,500 kg/ha (low density). This confirms the suitability of the common practice among farmers who use the low planting density under water scarce conditions. Overall, this study confirms that intercropping is no silver bullet, i.e. not per se a way to achieve high yield production or reduce risk under drought. It does, however, provide an opportunity to diversify food production by additionally integrating protein rich crops, such as cowpea.

Analysis of CMA-DAPI bands and preparation of fluorescent karyotypes in thirty Indian cultivars of Lens culinaris

India holds a significant rank in production and consumption of the age old protein rich crop Lentil with only one cultivated species and a large number of phenotypically similar cultivars. The need for a reliable and cost effective method of genetic characterization to unravel differences within the Lentil cultivars was felt. The present paper adopted EMA based chromosome preparation followed by staining with two contrasting fluorochromes dyes CMA and DAPI that bind directly to GC and AT rich heterochromatic segments on chromosomes. Analysis of fluorochrome banding pattern furnished a comparative account of genetic diversity within the cultivars that could not be achieved by traditional karyotyping. The marker pair of nucleolar chromosomes (4th and 3rd, majorly) occupied a pivotal position to intensify differences between cultivars in terms of banding patterns around secondary constrictions, suggestive of yet unknown variation in heterochromatin composition. Our study has strengthened genetic background and relationships of Lentil cultivars. We observed certain types of unusual fluorochrome bands that put forward the exclusivity of Indian germplasm and have questioned the mainstream heterochromatin elements of plant chromosomes captured by CMA-DAPI stains. The comprehensive fluorescent karyotypes of 30 L. culinaris cultivars prepared for the first time, serve as an archetype for the benefit of future breeding programmes in any Indian crop.

PRODUCTIVITY OF DIFFERENT SOYBEAN CULTIVARS DEPENDING ON METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND GROWING MANNER IN LATGALE 2018–2020

In recent decades in Latvia and other European countries increased interest about growing protein-rich crops and especially soybeans (Glycine max). Although soybean cultivation experiments in Latvia have been carried out for some time, there is still insufficient knowledge about cultivating these plants in the country's climatic conditions. A field trials was carried out in 2018, 2019 and 2020 in the Latgale Agricultural Science Centre. The effect of three factors (A: soybean cultivar (A1 — ‘Lajma’, A2 — ‘Laulema’, A3 — ‘Merlin’, A4 — ‘Tiguan’, A5 — ‘Paradis’, A6 — ‘Touttis’); B: sowing rate (B1 — 40, B2 — 50, B3 — 60 germinable seeds per 1 m2); C: row spacing (C1 — 12.5 cm, C2 — 25 cm) on the development and yield formation of soybean was examined. The experiment was carried out in the framework of the project ‘New technologies and important to look for earlier cultivars to avoid farming risks.

Extraction and Characterization of Proteins from Pachyrhizus ahipa Roots: an Unexploited Protein-Rich Crop.

Pachyrhizus ahipa is an unexploited crop known to be rich in proteins compared to other edible roots and tubers. These proteins are not prolamins, thus ahipa represents an interesting new source of ingredients for gluten-free foods. In this work, ahipa proteins (AP) were extracted and partially characterized in pursuit of their use as food ingredients. The effect of ultrasound treatment on protein extraction efficiency was evaluated. AP were characterized by their size, amino acid composition, surface hydrophobicity, intrinsic fluorescence, FTIR spectra, solubility, and thermal and emulsifying properties. AP were efficiently removed from the vegetal tissue using PBS or water, regardless of the use of ultrasound, but not easily recovered by precipitation. This protein fraction was composed of small proteins, with sizes ranging from 9 to 30kDa, and highly polar. AP resulted particularly rich in aspartic acid (59% of the total amino acid content), for which they can be classified as Asp-rich proteins. Their elevated content of acidic groups was evidenced in the ATR-FTIR spectrum. The amide I band deconvolution as well as the low surface hydrophobicity and denaturation enthalpy indicated that these proteins are mainly unordered structures. The emulsifying properties of AP were enhanced when the concentration was increased from 0.1 to 1% (w/v) but resulted lower than those of soy protein. The high polarity, small size, and low isoelectric point make AP particularly suitable for acidic food matrices.

Whole-genome assembly and resequencing reveal genomic imprint and key genes of rapid domestication in narrow-leafed lupin.

Shifting from a livestock-based protein diet to a plant-based protein diet has been proposed as an essential requirement to maintain global food sustainability, which requires the increased production of protein-rich crops for direct human consumption. Meanwhile, the lack of sufficient genetic diversity in crop varieties is an increasing concern for sustainable food supplies. Countering this concern requires a clear understanding of the domestication process and dynamics. Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) has experienced rapid domestication and has become a new legume crop over the past century, with the potential to provide protein-rich seeds. Here, using long-read whole-genome sequencing, we assembled the third-generation reference genome for the narrow-leafed lupin cultivar Tanjil, comprising 20 chromosomes with a total genome size of 615.8Mb and contig N50=5.65Mb. We characterized the original mutation and putative biological pathway resulting in low seed alkaloid level that initiated the recent domestication of narrow-leafed lupin. We identified a 1133-bp insertion in the cis-regulatory region of a putative gene that may be associated with reduced pod shattering (lentus). A comparative analysis of genomic diversity in cultivars and wild types identified an apparent domestication bottleneck, as precisely predicted by the original model of the bottleneck effect on genetic variability in populations. Our results identify the key domestication genetic loci and provide direct genomic evidence for a domestication bottleneck, and open up the possibility of knowledge-driven denovo domestication of wild plants as an avenue to broaden crop plant diversity to enhance food security and sustainable low-carbon emission agriculture.

Iron- and Zinc-Fortified Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Demonstrate Enhanced and Stable Iron Bioavailability After Storage

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a quick-cooking, rapidly expanding protein-rich crop with high iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), but low bioavailability due to the presence of phytate, similar to other grains. Lentils dual fortified with Fe and Zn can significantly improve the bioavailable Fe and Zn content. Three milled lentil product types (LPTs) were fortified with Fe using NaFeEDTA [ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron (III) sodium salt] (Fe fortified) or Zn from ZnSO4·H2O (Zn fortified), or both (dual fortified). Fe, Zn, phytic acid (PA) concentration, and relative Fe bioavailability (RFeB%) were assessed for samples from two fortified batches (initial and for 1 year stored). Fe, Zn, and RFeB% increased significantly in two batches of samples from the three LPTs, and decreased by 5–15% after 1 year of storage. PA concentration decreased from 8 to 15% after fortification of all samples from two batches of the three LPTs but showed different patterns of influence after storage. Dual-fortified lentil fortified with 24 mg Fe and 12 mg Zn 100 g−1 lentil had the highest amount of Fe and Zn, and the lowest PA concentration, and RFeB% was increased from 91.3 to 519.5%. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) Pearson correlations were observed between Fe concentration vs. PA:Fe molar ratio (MR), Fe concentration vs. RFeB%, RFeB% vs. PA:Fe MR, and Zn concentration vs. PA:Zn MR in all samples from two batches of the three LPTs. In conclusion, dual-fortified lentil can contribute significant bioavailable Fe and Zn to populations at risk of Fe and Zn deficiency.

Nutritional quality of formulated complementary diet from defatted almond seed, yellow maize and quality protein maize flours

Traditional complementary foods are mainly starchy foods with limiting nutrient quality and can be fortified using protein rich crops like almond seed. This research thus aimed at investigating the nutritional quality of the formulated complementary diet from locally available almond seeds (Prunus amygdalus), high quality protein (QPM) and yellow maize after blending into flours. The proximate and amino acid compositions, in vitro protein qualities and functional properties of the blended flours were determined using standard methods. The in vivo studies involved feeding the weanling Wister albino rats with blended flours and commercial Cerelac (control), followed by hematological and histopathological determinations, while sensory attributes were evaluated by the semi-trained panelists. The protein contents of the flour blends (24–28%) were significantly (p < 0.05) better with adequate indispensable amino acids and improved functionalities than commercial cerelac (23%). Comparatively, the dried germinated QPM (DGQPM) has significant (p < 0.05) higher biological value (~ 37%) than fermented high QPM (FHQPM) (~ 30%), thereby indicating that the germination process improved protein quality of the diets. Besides, the in vivo data showed a positive effect of germination process as the rats fed with DGQPM has low white blood cells (30 × 102) compared to FHQPM (42 × 102) and cerelac (51 × 102). However, the fermentation process improved the packed cell volume of rats fed with FHQPM (49%) when compared to DGQPM and cerelac (47%). The formulated diets have no negative effects on the protein content (45.19–51.88 mg N/g) and weight (0.25–1.36 g) of the internal organs (liver, kidney and tissue) of the animals when compared to cerelac (53.72–55.04 mg N/g; 0.25–1.98 g), respectively. The panelists generally accepted all the formulated diets, hence encouraging their utilization in the global preparation of complimentary foods for young children to meet their nutritional needs and adding value to the locally produced underutilized almond seeds.