Underutilized legumes: nutrient status and advanced breeding approaches for qualitative and quantitative enhancement

Abstract

Underutilized/orphan legumes provide food and nutritional security to resource-poor rural populations during periods of drought and extreme hunger, thus, saving millions of lives. The Leguminaceae, which is the third largest flowering plant family, has approximately 650 genera and 20,000 species and are distributed globally. There are various protein-rich accessible and edible legumes, such as soybean, cowpea, and others; nevertheless, their consumption rate is far higher than production, owing to ever-increasing demand. The growing global urge to switch from an animal-based protein diet to a vegetarian-based protein diet has also accelerated their demand. In this context, underutilized legumes offer significant potential for food security, nutritional requirements, and agricultural development. Many of the known legumes like Mucuna spp., Canavalia spp., Sesbania spp., Phaseolus spp., and others are reported to contain comparable amounts of protein, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), dietary fiber, essential minerals and vitamins along with other bioactive compounds. Keeping this in mind, the current review focuses on the potential of discovering underutilized legumes as a source of food, feed and pharmaceutically valuable chemicals, in order to provide baseline data for addressing malnutrition-related problems and sustaining pulse needs across the globe. There is a scarcity of information about underutilized legumes and is restricted to specific geographical zones with local or traditional significance. Around 700 genera and 20,000 species remain for domestication, improvement, and mainstreaming. Significant efforts in research, breeding, and development are required to transform existing local landraces of carefully selected, promising crops into types with broad adaptability and economic viability. Different breeding efforts and the use of biotechnological methods such as micro-propagation, molecular markers research and genetic transformation for the development of underutilized crops are offered to popularize lesser-known legume crops and help farmers diversify their agricultural systems and boost their profitability.

Impact of Pretreatments on Protein Digestibility and Chemical and Functional Properties of Selected Underutilized Legumes

“…1,2 Protein content of some ULs such as sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) and fava bean (Vicia faba) has been found to be as high as 41−45%, comparable to animal protein. 3 Aside proteins, studies have also found the presence of beneficial phytochemicals and minerals. 4,5 Many legumes must, however, undergo some form of processing in order to make them suitable for consumption.…”

“…Underutilized legumes (ULs) have demonstrated the potential to contribute to food security, especially in the developing world. Many studies have suggested that they could adequately serve as alternative sources of dietary protein as animal sources tend to be expensive and unsustainable to produce. , Protein content of some ULs such as sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) and fava bean (Vicia faba) has been found to be as high as 41–45%, comparable to animal protein . Aside proteins, studies have also found the presence of beneficial phytochemicals and minerals. , Many legumes must, however, undergo some form of processing in order to make them suitable for consumption.…”

Legumes and common beans in sustainable diets: nutritional quality, environmental benefits, spread and use in food preparations

“…This is mainly a consequence of two phenomena: the growth of vegetarianism and the demand for protein not derived from wheat or other gluten-containing grains ( 30 , 31 ). However, the cultivation and consumption of legumes is still negligible as it is hindered by many nutritional, organoleptic and socio-economic barriers ( 32 ). It is, therefore, necessary to raise the awareness of the benefits of legumes from a nutritional and environmental point of view, emphasizing their potential role as a food, as well as an ingredient in traditional and non-traditional recipes and in the formulation of new products.…”

Forgotten Gems: Exploring the Untapped Benefits of Underutilized Legumes in Agriculture, Nutrition, and Environmental Sustainability

“…The term underutilized legumes refers to a diverse group of leguminous plants that have been historically overlooked or underused in mainstream agriculture and food systems, despite their potential nutritional, environmental, and socio-economic benefits [1]. These legumes encompass a wide range of species, many of which have been traditionally cultivated by indigenous communities or in specific regions but have received limited attention in terms of research, breeding, and commercialization compared to major crops like soybeans and common beans.…”