The Bioactivity and Phytochemicals of Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.: A Multifunctional Underutilized Crop Plant

Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb. is an underutilized crop plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. In recent years, the plant received huge attention and was introduced in different countries owing to properties such as a high nutritional content, its nitrogen-fixing abilities, and different biological activities such as its antioxidant, immune modulation, anticancer, anti-diabetes, anti-osteoporosis, antiviral, and antiaging affects, among others. In this review, an attempt has been made to comprehensively compile the biological activities of the plant to provide a panoramic view of the current efforts and further directions, which may lead to the development of pharmacological applications. This information will be helpful in creating interest towards P. erosus and it may be useful in developing the plant for medical applications and/or as a functional food. More than 50 phytochemicals have been reported from the plant, which belong to different chemical classes such as triterpenoids, organic acid, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Numerous biological activities were reported from the plant through in vivo, in vitro, ex vivo, and human studies. However, well-defined clinical studies are still lacking for the establishment of any biological properties that could be further developed. Suggestions for the further development of P. erosus, according to current knowledge about the different biological properties, has also been provided.

Chufa Drink: Potential in Developing a New Plant-Based Fermented Dessert

Plant-based foods with desirable texture and nutritional value have attracted considerable interest from consumers. In order to meet the growing demand for more sustainable and health-focused products, new sources for plant-based products are needed. In this study, we aimed to develop an innovative plant-based dessert based on the underutilized crop chufa tubers (Cyperus esculentus). The chufa extract was fermented with plant-adapted lactic acid bacteria and formulated with the purpose of imitating the Danish summer dessert “cold butter-milk soup”. The effect of various bacterial fermentations and formulations on steady and oscillatory rheology, stability, dry matter, pH, and sugar profile of the product were studied and compared to a commercial cold buttermilk soup sample. A strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides was found to create the most similar taste to a commercial sample. By adding lemon juice, sucrose, xanthan gum, and vanilla to the fermented chufa drink, the drink was found to mimic the pH, texture, acid profile, and stability of a commercial dairy-based sample, while containing a lower concentration of carbohydrates.

A Global Systematic Review on Biology, Production Constraints and Uses of Cyperus exculentus L. (Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species): Implications for Valorization.

Food security relies mainly on a few major crop such as wheat, maize, rice and yam. Many of the cultivated plant such as Cyperus exculentus are still considered invasive plants and are neglected and underutilized. In the perspective to valorization of the species, this systematic review aimed at identifying the biology, production constraints and uses of tigernut for future research directions. Extensive searches were carried out and studies were screened and extracted using established systematic review methods. A total of 175 papers met the inclusion criteria. Approximately 52% and 21.71% of the studies were undertaken in Europe and Africa respectively. Most of the papers reviewed for the study were published between [2010-2015[. The review highlighted the critical research gaps in genetic diversity using SSR makers and evolutionary biology. Further, production constraints and solution approaches for the promotion of the species were the other gaps identified in the reviewed studies. Production constraints were specifically related to the insufficient mineral fertilizers and difficult in harvesting. Tigernut is used in more fields such as food, medicinal, cosmetic, biofuel and fishing and fish breeding. Such investigations would help in decision-making and elaboration of breeding strategies, and advancing steps towards sustainable use of the species.

​​Process Standardization for Development and Quality Evaluation of Aromatic Black Rice Incorporated Idli

Background: Black rice also known as purple rice which is rich in anthocyanin, antioxidants, fiber, minerals etc. are abundantly found in Manipur. Black rice is an underutilized crop in Manipur and most parts of North East India although it regarded as the super food. The objective of the present study is to develop Idli by blending the aromatic black rice (Poireiton), white rice (IR20) and black gram (Urad Dal). Methods: The amount of black rice and IR20 are varied (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) keeping the black gram level at 33% of the total weight. The best combination of formulated Idli is selected by analyzing the variations in fermentation volume, pH, colour values, sensory parameters and its overall acceptability. Sensory parameters of the developed idli are conducted by 9-point hedonic scale by 10 semi trained panel. Result: The Idli with black rice level of 10% and 12 hrs fermentation time has the highest overall acceptability in sensory evaluation. The best treatment of idli has a pH of 5.28, increased in the volume batter as 140% and color values as L*, a* and b* as 58.42, 5.92 and 10.51 respectively.

Resistance against Orobanche crenata in Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) Germplasm Based on Reduced Induction of Orobanche Germination

Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.) is a legume well adapted to cultivation in marginal areas, being an important source of protein for animal feed in low input cropping systems. Surprisingly, it is an underutilized crop as it could be a good alternative to increase the sustainability of extensive rainfed cropping systems. In Mediterranean rainfed cropping systems, the productivity of bitter vetch is severely reduced by the parasitic weed species Orobanche crenata (Forsk). To date, few resistant bitter vetch genotypes have been identified. O. crenata infection process initiates with the recognition of germination factors exuded by roots of susceptible hosts. In this work, the interaction of a collection of bitter vetch accessions and O. crenata has been analyzed in order to discover accessions with low germination induction activity. Through a combination of field and rhizotron experiments, two bitter vetch accessions were selected showing low germination-induction activity, which resulted in less infection. In addition, in vitro germination assays revealed that the low germination activity was due to low exudation of germination factors and not due to the exudation of germination inhibitors. The selected low germination-inducers genotypes could be the basis for a new breeding program generating locally adapted alternatives with resistance to O. crenata.

Agro-morphological traits and harvest period assessment of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) genotypes for pods production

Ishthifaiyyah SA, Syukur M, Trikoesoemaningtyas, Maharijaya A. 2021. Agro-morphological traits and harvest period assessment of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) genotypes for pods production. Biodiversitas 22: 1069-1075. Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) is an underutilized crop in Indonesia. Winged bean varieties for pods productions not only must have high productivity and nutrient contents, but also have a long harvest period. This research aimed to evaluate agro-morphological traits and harvest period of eighth-generation winged bean genotypes. Twenty genotypes of winged beans were evaluated using randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications in Bogor, Indonesia. Several qualitative and quantitative traits were evaluated from each genotype. The results showed that there were variations among winged bean genotypes which were based on qualitative traits as well as the color of stem, calyx, corolla, pod, and pod wings. Purple coloration in the calyx of P1 and H3U genotypes was known to correspond with the purple color in stem, corolla, pod, and pod wings. The highest yield among F8 genotypes was found in H2 (6.69 to ha-1), similar to P2. However, the longest harvest period among F8 genotypes was found in H1U-2 (78 days). This study revealed that harvest period had positive correlation with the leaflet size. Based on nutrient content, H3U and L2 were considered as the genotypes with the highest protein and fiber content respectively among F8 genotypes.