Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans

High concentrations of vicine and convicine (v-c) in faba beans can trigger favism in susceptible humans, posing a significant barrier to the broader adoption of faba beans as a food source. While plant breeding and various post-harvest processing methods have been adopted to reduce v-c levels, ther...

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Main Authors: Pankaj Maharjan, Aaron C. Elkins, Jason Brand, Samuel C. Catt, Simone J. Rochfort, Joe F. Panozzo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1567
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author Pankaj Maharjan
Aaron C. Elkins
Jason Brand
Samuel C. Catt
Simone J. Rochfort
Joe F. Panozzo
author_facet Pankaj Maharjan
Aaron C. Elkins
Jason Brand
Samuel C. Catt
Simone J. Rochfort
Joe F. Panozzo
author_sort Pankaj Maharjan
collection DOAJ
description High concentrations of vicine and convicine (v-c) in faba beans can trigger favism in susceptible humans, posing a significant barrier to the broader adoption of faba beans as a food source. While plant breeding and various post-harvest processing methods have been adopted to reduce v-c levels, there is limited understanding of how agronomic practices may assist in reducing v-c levels. This study investigated the effect of sowing time (TOS), soil type, and genotype on v-c levels in faba beans. Twelve faba bean genotypes were evaluated across multiple field sites by applying two sowing times and two diverse soil types. The v-c content was quantified using established chromatographic techniques. Genotypes were identified as the most major factor affecting v-c levels, with significant variation observed in mean vicine and convicine contents. Sowing time also had a significant impact (<i>p</i> < 0.01), with lower v-c levels observed in TOS 1 compared to TOS 2. This reduction may be due to a longer plant development period and extended seed desiccation in TOS 1. Soil conditions, likely linked to nutritional factors, significantly influenced vicine concentrations (<i>p</i> < 0.05) but did not influence convicine levels (<i>p</i> > 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of agronomy practices, such as optimal sowing time, soil nutrition, and moisture management, in minimizing v-c levels; the most effective strategy remains the development of low v-c genotypes combined with farming practices that naturally suppress v-c accumulation.
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spelling doaj-art-d40a2cb3ed864841a61c502883be22232025-08-20T03:36:30ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-07-011515156710.3390/agriculture15151567Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba BeansPankaj Maharjan0Aaron C. Elkins1Jason Brand2Samuel C. Catt3Simone J. Rochfort4Joe F. Panozzo5Agriculture Victoria Research, Grain Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, VIC 3400, AustraliaAgriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, AustraliaAgriculture Victoria Research, Grain Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, VIC 3400, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, AustraliaAgriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, AustraliaHigh concentrations of vicine and convicine (v-c) in faba beans can trigger favism in susceptible humans, posing a significant barrier to the broader adoption of faba beans as a food source. While plant breeding and various post-harvest processing methods have been adopted to reduce v-c levels, there is limited understanding of how agronomic practices may assist in reducing v-c levels. This study investigated the effect of sowing time (TOS), soil type, and genotype on v-c levels in faba beans. Twelve faba bean genotypes were evaluated across multiple field sites by applying two sowing times and two diverse soil types. The v-c content was quantified using established chromatographic techniques. Genotypes were identified as the most major factor affecting v-c levels, with significant variation observed in mean vicine and convicine contents. Sowing time also had a significant impact (<i>p</i> < 0.01), with lower v-c levels observed in TOS 1 compared to TOS 2. This reduction may be due to a longer plant development period and extended seed desiccation in TOS 1. Soil conditions, likely linked to nutritional factors, significantly influenced vicine concentrations (<i>p</i> < 0.05) but did not influence convicine levels (<i>p</i> > 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of agronomy practices, such as optimal sowing time, soil nutrition, and moisture management, in minimizing v-c levels; the most effective strategy remains the development of low v-c genotypes combined with farming practices that naturally suppress v-c accumulation.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1567abiotic mediatedfaba beanvicine and convicine
spellingShingle Pankaj Maharjan
Aaron C. Elkins
Jason Brand
Samuel C. Catt
Simone J. Rochfort
Joe F. Panozzo
Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans
Agriculture
abiotic mediated
faba bean
vicine and convicine
title Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans
title_full Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans
title_fullStr Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans
title_full_unstemmed Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans
title_short Genotypic and Environmental Impacts on Vicine and Convicine Concentrations in Faba Beans
title_sort genotypic and environmental impacts on vicine and convicine concentrations in faba beans
topic abiotic mediated
faba bean
vicine and convicine
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1567
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