Composition and content of seed flavonoids in forage and grain legume crops

Abstract

Flavonoid content and composition in 124 accessions of forage and grain legumes was assessed by means of HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS analyses of seed extracts. Excluding soybean, only 7 out of 77 grain legume accessions exhibited a total flavonoid content higher than 0.1 mg/g fresh seed weight (mean content 0.33 +/- 0.31 mg/ g fresh seed weight); while in 38 out of 47 forage legume, the mean flavonoid content was 1.49 +/- 0.89 mg/g fresh seed weight. On the basis of their higher seed flavonoid content and agronomic relevance, two grain and five forage legume accessions were selected for further HPLC-ESI-MS analyses aimed to identify bioactive compounds. Chemical analysis of the selected accessions permitted the identification of several flavonoids with pharmaceutical properties such as vitexin in Vigna angularis and Trigonella foenum-graecum, quercetin in all Trifolium spp and Medicago sativa, taxifolin in Trifolium pratense and Trifolium alexandrinum, myricetin in Trifolium repens, kaempferol in Phaseolus vulgaris and T. repens and luteolin in M. sativa and T. alexandrinum. Since much of literature information is regarding flavonoid content and composition of the green part of legume species, the obtained results contributed to fill the gap in knowledge about flavonoid content at the seed level.

Anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract derived from Phaseolus angularis beans

“…Thus far, several peptides and small molecules, such as antifungal defensin-like peptides, oleanene-glucuronides (soyasaponins I/V) (Kinjo et al, 1998), monoglycosyl diacylglycerol, glyceroglycolipids (Kojima et al, 1990), vitexin (Prati et al, 2007), proanthocyanidins (Hori et al, 2006), digalactosyl ononitol (Peterbauer et al, 2003), and 4-aminobutylcadaverine (Fujihara et al, 1995), have been reported as ingredients in Phaseolus angularis. Although we did not test whether these compounds directly acted as anti-inflammatory agents, proanthocyanidins or polyphenols, such as vitexin, appear to be important components based on previous reports (Ho et al, 2007;Jeon et al, 2009).…”

Biologically active secondary metabolites in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) – a review focusing on contents in the plant, plant–pest interactions and transformation

“…Consequently, any conclusions on the flavonol distribution between plant parts should be cautious. The three flavonols quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin were the main flavonoids in seeds of a single cultivar (Prati et al, 2007), major flavonoids were derivatives of quercetin and kaempferol in leaves of white clover plants (Hofmann et al, 2000), and major flavonoids in flowers of white clover were identified as glycosidic derivatives of quercetin and myricetin (Foo et al, 2000;Schittko et al, 1999). There is little knowledge of flavonol content variations in white clover in relation to stress; some evidence indicates increases with plant exposure to UV-B light or to drought (Hofmann et al, 2000(Hofmann et al, , 2003.…”

“…18, 2008 Carlsen et al, 2008;Foo et al, 2000;Hofmann et al, 2000Hofmann et al, , 2003Nakatani et al, 1989;Prati et al, 2007;Wong and Latch, 1971b Foo et al, 2000;Hofmann et al, 2000Hofmann et al, , 2003Masterson, 1965;Nakatani et al, 1989;Oleszek and Stochmal, 2002;Ponce et al, 2004;Prati et al, 2007;Wong and Latch, 1971b 6-Hydroxykaempferol Foo et al, 2000;Fottrell et al, 1964;Masterson, 1965;Nakatani et al, 1989;Prati et al, 2007 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroxy-4-methoxyflavonol 3,5,6,7,8-Pentahydroxy- Foo et al, 2000;Jones et al, 1976;Meagher et al, 2006;…”

Vitamin and fatty acid contents in seeds of some taxa belonging to genusLathyrusL. growing in Turkey

“…The Fabaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants comprising about 600 genera and 13 000 species in the world and also genus Lathyrus, which is placed in the tribes of Vicieae of this family, has 152 species, shows a broad diffusion throghout the world and is divided into 13 sections (Kupicha, 1983;Alkin et al, 1986;Mabberley, 1997;Davis et al, 1970;Davis et al, 1988;Prati et al, 2007;Jayakody, 2007). Also Lathyrus species are distributed in the whole region of Turkey, particularly in the east and southeast Anatolia, and is represented by 76 taxa with eight sections in Flora of Turkey and some of these are endemic for Turkey (Davis, 1970;Davis et al, 1988).…”

“…Legumes have been cultivated for thousands of years and played an important role in the traditional diets of many regions throughout the world (Grela et al, 1999;Prati et al, 2007). Legume seeds are rich in many nutrient components including protein, starch, dietary fibre, certain fatty acids and micronutrients such as vitamins, trace minerals (Morrow, 1991;Souci et al, 2000;Hanbury et al, 2000;Seabre et al, 2001;Troszynska & Ciska, 2002).…”