Nutritional quality of Onobrychis viciifolia (Scop.) seeds: A potentially novel perennial pulse crop for human use

Abstract

Onobrychis viciifolia (hereafter sainfoin) is an autotetraploid (2n = 4x = 28), allogamous insect‐pollinated perennial legume originating from the Caucasus that has historically been cultivated as a forage. As a perennial legume, sainfoin has the potential to improve the sustainability of agriculture and food systems in multiple ways. Sainfoin can provide continuous living cover and biological nitrogen fixation to enhance soil fertility and health. It can also provide ecosystem services as a resource for pollinators and wildlife in addition to nitrogen fixation. Building on this history of valuable uses, The Land Institute is developing sainfoin as a pulse crop for human use. With the goal of supporting human diets with a sustainable, perennial protein source and nutrient‐dense crop, this innovation requires a thorough understanding of the chemical composition of sainfoin seeds to ensure safety and potential nutritional quality. Using seeds from commercial sainfoin varieties developed for forage production, grown by commercial sainfoin seed growers in the western United States, this study evaluates seed composition as part of an ongoing investigation into sainfoin's potential as a novel pulse. We found crude protein content (38.78%) comparable with soybean and lupine, fat content (6.96%) comparable with lupine and chickpea, and starch (7.1%) and dietary fiber content (48.96%) comparable with lupine. Phytic acid content was higher than pulses (1790.89 mg). Ash (3.81%), iron (64.14 ppm), and zinc contents (61.63 ppm) were in the higher end of the range for pulses. This study indicates that sainfoin could become a novel, nutrient‐dense crop for human nutrition. Future studies are required to further characterize seed composition and safety and demonstrate how common legume processing techniques may influence nutritional quality.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis spp.) crop ontology: supporting germplasm characterization and international research collaborations

“…A comprehensive understanding of the chemical composition and nutritional quality of sainfoin seeds is needed to determine the safety of this new food source and the nutritional value of sainfoin as a novel pulse crop. Some of these quality traits, such as crude protein, dietary fiber, and phytic acid content, were recently measured in sainfoin for the first time ( Craine et al., 2023 ). Compared to other pulses, depodded sainfoin seeds have higher protein content, as reported by Baldinger et al.…”

“…The introduction of synthetic fertilizer-based production schemes led to a reduction in sainfoin cultivation in these regions ( Hayot Carbonero et al., 2011 ), and a concomitant decline in research and breeding efforts. Recently, as concerns about synthetic fertilizers have grown, attention has refocused on the crucial role of legumes in agricultural systems, and as a result, interest in sainfoin has been revived ( Şakiroğlu, 2021 ; Craine et al., 2023 ).…”

“…For example, there is emerging interest in domesticating sainfoin as a potential novel, sustainable food source - a perennial pulse - for human consumption ( Butkutė et al., 2018a ; Butkutė et al., 2018b ; Schlautman et al., 2018 ). Evidence from nutritional analyses and animal feeding studies suggest sainfoin seeds could be suitable for human and animal consumption ( Ditterline, 1973 ; Tarasenko et al., 2015 ; Baldinger et al., 2016 ; Wijekoon et al., 2021 ; Craine et al., 2023 ). Thus, recent breeding efforts to develop sainfoin for dual-purpose perennial grain and forage production by selecting phenotypes related to grain yield and grain quality have begun at The Land Institute (Salina, KS, USA), Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University (Adana, Turkey), and elsewhere.…”

An insight into sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) breeding: Challenges and achievements

“…The seeds of sainfoin contain up to 39% of crude protein, which is comparable to soybean ( Glycine max ) and lupine ( Lupinus sp. L.); 7% fat, which is comparable to lupine and chickpea; and 7% starch, which is comparable to lupine (Craine et al., 2023). While this study points to the feasibility of sainfoin as a potential novel and energy‐dense crop for human nutrition, the human health safety issues have not yet been studied.…”

Genetic variability in Iranian sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) landraces by morphological characteristics

“…Sainfoin is widely distributed as landraces across the cold regions of enceinte world. Despite alfalfa's dominance as the most prevalent legume forage, the ability of sainfoin to prevent frothy bloat, a potentially fatal metabolic disorder, has sparked new attention in the sainfoin (Craine et al 2023). Incorporating sainfoin into cattle feeding programs helps mitigate atulence, and decreasing losses of cattle herds.…”