Soybean Lutein Concentration: Impact of Crop Management and Genotypes

Abstract

Lutein is a carotenoid with health-beneficial properties found in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. A study was conducted in multiple environments in Quebec, Canada, to determine the effects of crop management practices and genotypes on soybean lutein concentrations. Practices evaluated included seeding rate, row spacing, seeding date, and P and K fertilization; lutein variation and stability among 20 genotypes were also studied. Management practices affected soybean lutein concentration to different degrees. Seeding date had the greatest effect on lutein concentration of all factors evaluated, but response varied greatly between environments. Differences in lutein concentration between seeding date treatments averaged 41%. Seeding rate, row spacing, and P and K fertilization effects were minimal. Increasing the seeding rate from 40 to 60 seed m-^ resulted in a 6% increase in lutein concentration. Response to row spacing and P fertilization treatment was inconsistent and differences between treatments were never >8%. There was no response to K fertilization. Large differences were observed between the 20 genotypes evaluated, with lutein concentrations ranging between 4.1 and 10.9 |jg g-\ Despite the presence of significant environmental effects, genotypes with consistently high and stable lutein concentrations were identified. Selection and development of high-lutein cultivars should be possible; however, environmental factors and crop management practices should be considered in the use of soybean as a source of lutein.

Changes in Lutein and Tocopherol Concentrations in Soybean Cultivars Released Across Seven Decades in the Short‐Season Region

“…After grinding, the samples were kept in the dark and in a refrigerator until analysis. Tocopherol and lutein extraction and quantification were conducted using established procedures (Seguin et al, 2009, 2011).…”

“…Lutein is the major carotenoid in soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed (Seppanen et al, 2003) and, while its concentration is not as high as it is in leafy vegetables, it is comparable to corn ( Zea mays L.) (Scott and Eldridge, 2005) and pea ( Pisium sativum L.) (Holasova et al, 2009), which constitute major sources of lutein in the western diet (Seguin et al, 2011). Oilseed crops, such as soybean, contain a high proportion of seed α‐toc and humans obtain the majority of their requirements of vitamin E from vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and, to a lesser extent, green vegetables.…”

“…Two studies have concluded that lutein concentration was highly heritable (Wang et al, 2007; Whent et al, 2009), while a 2‐yr, multilocation study by Lee et al (2009) showed no effect of year on lutein. In a study of 20 current short‐season soybean cultivars, Seguin et al (2011) found that lutein concentration ranged from 4.1 to 10.9 µg g −1 , and the lines with the highest lutein concentration were the most stable across environments. In their study, while agronomic treatments such as population density, seeding rate, and P and K fertilization affected lutein concentration, the results were not consistent across years and environments.…”

Temporospatial Characterization of Nutritional and Bioactive Components of Soybean Cultivars in China

“…The content of α-Toc, β-Toc, γ-Toc, δ-Toc and total tocopherol was calculated using standard curves and expressed in units of mg/g. The extraction and quantification of carotenoid was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as previously described, with minor modifications [28]. Carotenoid was extracted by suspending a 1.0-g sample of flour in 10 mL acetone (acetone/methanol = 7/3) and 0.15 mL BHT (0.05 g/L) for 5 min, and subjecting to ultrasonication for 30 min and centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 10 min.…”

Metabolic association of lipophilic pigments in the organs of soybean sprouts

“…Although chlorophylls play a pivotal role in chemoprotective and anti-carcinogenic effects (13), information about changes in chlorophyll contents in the cotyledon and hypocotyl of sprouts during germination is insufficient. On the other hand, lutein is also known to have antioxidant (14) and anti-carcinogenic effects (15) so that lutein research in soybeans has been mainly focused on understanding the effects of environmental factors, such as crop management (16), on the lutein content. Identification of a high lutein content in soybean germplasm accessions is also important for breeding high quality soybeans (10,11).…”