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Popoola JO, Ojuederie OB, Aworunse OS, Adelekan A, Oyelakin AS, Oyesola OL, Akinduti PA, Dahunsi SO, Adegboyega TT, Oranusi SU, Ayilara MS, Omonhinmin CA. Nutritional, functional, and bioactive properties of african underutilized legumes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1105364. [PMID: 37123863 PMCID: PMC10141332 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1105364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Globally, legumes are vital constituents of diet and perform critical roles in maintaining well-being owing to the dense nutritional contents and functional properties of their seeds. While much emphasis has been placed on the major grain legumes over the years, the neglected and underutilized legumes (NULs) are gaining significant recognition as probable crops to alleviate malnutrition and give a boost to food security in Africa. Consumption of these underutilized legumes has been associated with several health-promoting benefits and can be utilized as functional foods due to their rich dietary fibers, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), proteins/essential amino acids, micro-nutrients, and bioactive compounds. Despite the plethora of nutritional benefits, the underutilized legumes have not received much research attention compared to common mainstream grain legumes, thus hindering their adoption and utilization. Consequently, research efforts geared toward improvement, utilization, and incorporation into mainstream agriculture in Africa are more convincing than ever. This work reviews some selected NULs of Africa (Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis), African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), Kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum), Mung bean, (Vigna radiata), Rice bean (Vigna Umbellata), and Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)), and their nutritional, and functional properties. Furthermore, we highlight the prospects and current challenges associated with the utilization of the NULs and discusses the strategies to facilitate their exploitation as not only sources of vital nutrients, but also their integration for the development of cheap and accessible functional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Olagbenro Popoola
- Pure and Applied Biology Programme, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun, Nigeria
- Department of Biological Sciences/Biotechnology Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria
- *Correspondence: Jacob Olagbenro Popoola, ; Omena B. Ojuederie,
| | - Omena B. Ojuederie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun, Nigeria
- Food Security and Safety Focus, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Jacob Olagbenro Popoola, ; Omena B. Ojuederie,
| | | | - Aminat Adelekan
- Department of Chemical and Food Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria
| | - Abiodun S. Oyelakin
- Department of Pure and Applied Botany, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - Olusola Luke Oyesola
- Department of Biological Sciences/Biotechnology Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria
| | - Paul A. Akinduti
- Department of Biological Sciences/Biotechnology Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Olatunde Dahunsi
- Microbiology Programme, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun, Nigeria
- The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Taofeek T. Adegboyega
- Food Security and Safety Focus, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
- Biology Unit, Faculty of Science, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria
| | - Solomon U. Oranusi
- Department of Biological Sciences/Biotechnology Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria
| | - Modupe S. Ayilara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun, Nigeria
- Food Security and Safety Focus, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Conrad A. Omonhinmin
- Department of Biological Sciences/Biotechnology Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria
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