Fatty acid profiles of Phaseolus species

The aim of this study was to identify and profile the fatty acids present in the Phaseolus species using an online Osiris server software. Phaseolus species (pinto beans, lima beans and kidney beans) were bought in King’s market, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria and were air -dried and ground. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists protocol were used for proximate; mineral analysis was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometer; extraction of oil was done using Soxhlet apparatus and the extracts were characterized using gas chromatography mass spectrophotometer and identified compounds were screened for their chemical properties using online Osiris server. The oil extract for pinto beans revealed fatty acids in increasing order of percentage quality: Myristic acid, octadecenoic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid. Identified fatty acids in kidney beans were in decreasing order of palmitic acid, linoleic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid and capric acid. Lima beans had highest palmitic acid and arachidic acid the lowest. However, from the results of all the Phaseolus species, linoleic acid was found only in kidney beans with quality of 11.87%. The identified fatty acids showed high toxicity properties and they exhibited negative drug-likeness. The chemistry of the identified compounds all showed that they exhibited various chemical properties. In conclusion, this study had revealed the presence of fatty acids in the selected food crops and their various chemical profiles have been discovered

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Selected Chilean Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) Genotypes Shows Moderate Agronomic and Genetic Variability

The runner bean is the third most economically important Phaseolus species, which is cultivated on small-scale agriculture for the production of immature pods or to obtain dry seeds. However, despite the economic importance and agronomic potential of this species, the runner bean has been little studied from the genetic standpoint. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize ten selected lines of runner bean obtained from Central (Santiago) and Southern (Valdivia and Villarica) Chile based on morphological and agronomic traits. In addition, the genetic variability of these lines was determined using 12 Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers to evaluate the potential of this germplasm for breeding and commercial purposes. As a result, the lines from Central Chile were characterized, and had a higher number of pods per plant compared to the Southern lines, although the size and weight of their seeds were lower. Moreover, a low level of genetic diversity (He = 0.251) was encountered in this population. Finally, this is one of the first studies that generate relevant and novel information on the morphological, agronomic and genetic characterization of the P. coccineus germplasm present in Chile.

Field Evaluation of Native B. thuringiensis Isolates Against Aphids (Aphis fabae)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the aphicidal activity of native Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains. Methods: Soil samples of Provinces 2 and 3 of Nepal were collected randomly for isolation of Bt by acetate selection method. Bt were identified by observing insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) by Commassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) staining technique. Aphicidal activity of 12 B. thuringiensis isolates was evaluated by two processes. The preliminary screening was done by spraying the suspension containing the spore and ICPs mixture in Phaseolus species heavily infested with black aphids (Aphis fabae) in fi elds. The second process (selective bioassay) was done by counting the number of aphids (nymphs, instar, winged, wingless) before and after spraying 5ml of suspension containing the spore and ICPs mixture on the leaf or on the beans pods surface infested by Aphids. The mortality percentage of Aphids after treatment was calculated on the 4th day, by counting the live aphids and the result was recorded. Results: Preliminary screening for aphicidal activity revealed that 4 isolates ML5(1), CW1(1), SN2(1) and MP2(1) producing spherical crystal protein, showed 100% mortality against nymphs, instar, winged and wingless Aphids. Isolates were effective in controlling the Aphid (Aphis fabae) within 4 days and the part of the plant that was sprayed becomes free of Aphids. Selective bioassay of native isolate MP3(3) was most effective in killing 95.83% of aphids followed by CW2(1), 85.71%, ML5(1), 77.34%, SN3(1), 72.72%, CW1(1), 70.21%. Conclusion: This study revealed that indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis of Terai region of Nepal are effective in controlling Aphids.

Comparative Analysis of Perennial and Annual Phaseolus Seed Nutrient Concentrations

Long-term agricultural sustainability is dependent in part on our capacity to provide productive, nutritious crops that minimize the negative impacts of agriculture on the landscape. Perennial grains within an agroforestry context offers one solution: These plants produce large root systems that reduce soil erosion and simultaneously have the potential to produce nutrients to combat malnutrition. However, nutrient compositions of wild, perennial, herbaceous species, such as those related to the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) are not well known. In this study, seed ion and amino acid concentrations of perennial and annual Phaseolus species were quantified using ionomics and mass spectrometry. No statistical difference was observed for Zn, toxic ions (e.g., As) or essential amino acid concentrations (except threonine) between perennial and annual Phaseolus species. However, differences were observed for some nutritionally important ions. For example, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and P concentrations were higher in annual species; further, ion and amino acid concentrations appear to be largely independent of each other. These results suggest variability in ion and amino acid concentrations exist in Phaseolus. As new crop candidates are considered for ecological services, nutritional quality should be optimized to maximize nutrient output of sustainable food crops.

Conservation status of eleven wild bean (Phaseolus spp. Fabaceae) species in northeastern Mexico

Rare and endemic plants, such as the wild species of Phaseolus (Fabaceae) in northeastern Mexico, deserve high priority in conservation efforts because of their uniqueness and usefulness as plant genetic resource. This is particularly important because during the last decades, some of these species have become endangered because of anthropogenic and natural factors. The study aimed to determine the current conservation status of 11 reported wild bean species in northeastern Mexico, using wild bean data from 77 expeditions to the states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas during the period 1869-2013.The conservation status of the different species was determined according to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. The categories of risk were based on four indicators: amplitude of distribution, habitat status, biological vulnerability and impact of human activity. The following eight wild Phaseolus species are not at risk of extinction: P. albiflorus, P. glabellus, P. leptostachyus, P. maculatifolius, P. neglectus, P. pedicellatus, P. vulgaris and P. zimapanensis. On the other hand, P. altimontanus Freytag & Debouck is categorized as threatened; P. novoleonensis Debouck, in danger of extinction; and P. plagiocylix Harms, possibly extinct. Current in situ and ex situ conservation programs need to be strengthened and expanded for the medium- and long-term protection of wild bean species in northeastern Mexico.

Estudio preliminar de las enfermedades y plagas insectiles en las colectas de Phaseolus de México

The INIFAP (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias) herbarium specimens of Phaseolus spp. collected in Mexico during the period from 1978 to 1991 were examined with the aim of increasing our knowledge on the distribution of the insects and diseases that attack those species. A total of 775 specimens, including 24 different Phaseolus species from different regions of Mexico, were studied. Based on visual symptoms of pathogen damage, a wide geographic distribution of diseases and insects was observed in almost all species; most of them are the same pathogens that attack the cultivated common bean (P. vulgaris). It is possible to find genetic resistance to pathogens in the wild Phaseolus spp., resistance that may be useful to improve the cultivated forms in the genus. However, the utilization of germplasm of wild Phaseolus species will depend upon the thorough characterization of those species, their compatibility with the cultivated beans, and the inheritance of the traits involved.