Characterization of cowpea cultivars for grain size, color, and biofortification

ABSTRACT Cowpea crops have high socioeconomic importance in the Northeast region of Brazil. These crops generate employment and income; in addition, it is an excellent source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber, and contributes to the food security of thousands of people. Biofortification of cowpea with iron, zinc, and proteins can contribute to prevent the higher hunger. The objective of this work was to assess iron, zinc, and protein contents in cowpea grains of different cultivars and the effect of grain size and color on the contents of these nutrients. Twenty-four cultivars with variation in size and color of the seed coat were evaluated. Iron contents ranged from 7.12 to 8.60 mg 100 g-1, with an overall mean of 7.75 mg 100 g-1. Zinc contents ranged from 4.46 to 4.93 mg 100 g-1, with an overall mean of 4.71 mg 100 g-1. Protein contents ranged from 31.50 to 36.24 g 100 g-1, with an overall mean of 33.57 g 100 g-1. Grain size ranged from 13.55 to 37.88 g, with an overall mean of 21.50 g. The cultivars Caldeirão, BRS-Guariba, and Pingo-de-Ouro-1-2 have higher iron contents; BRS-Aracê and BRS-Imponente have higher zinc contents; BR-14-Mulato, BRS-Guariba, BRS-Aracê, and BRS-Inhuma, have higher protein contents; and BR-3-Tracuateua and BRS-Imponente have larger grain sizes. The size and color of the seed coat do not influence the iron, zinc and protein contents of the evaluated cowpea cultivars.

摘要：豇豆作物在巴西东北部地区具有显著的社会经济重要性。该作物可创造就业岗位与经济收入，同时亦是优质的蛋白质、矿物质、维生素与膳食纤维来源，为万千民众的粮食安全提供重要支撑。通过铁、锌与蛋白质对豇豆进行生物强化（Biofortification），有助于缓解饥饿问题。本研究旨在评估不同栽培品种豇豆籽粒中的铁、锌与蛋白质含量，并探究籽粒大小与种皮颜色对上述营养成分含量的影响。本研究共评估了24个种皮大小与颜色存在差异的豇豆栽培品种。结果显示，铁含量范围为7.12~8.60 mg·100g⁻¹，整体平均值为7.75 mg·100g⁻¹；锌含量范围为4.46~4.93 mg·100g⁻¹，整体平均值为4.71 mg·100g⁻¹；蛋白质含量范围为31.50~36.24 g·100g⁻¹，整体平均值为33.57 g·100g⁻¹；籽粒百粒质量范围为13.55~37.88 g，整体平均值为21.50 g。具体品种表现如下：Caldeirão、BRS-Guariba与Pingo-de-Ouro-1-2的铁含量较高；BRS-Aracê与BRS-Imponente的锌含量较高；BR-14-Mulato、BRS-Guariba、BRS-Aracê与BRS-Inhuma的蛋白质含量较高；BR-3-Tracuateua与BRS-Imponente的籽粒百粒质量更大。本研究发现，种皮颜色与籽粒大小对本次评估的豇豆栽培品种的铁、锌与蛋白质含量无显著影响。