Unlocking the potential of underutilized legumes: nutritional benefits, anti-nutritional challenges, and mitigation strategies.

Navin Venketeish, KS; Govindarajan, Nagamaniammai; Pandiselvam, R.; Mousavi Khaneghah, Amin

This comprehensive review delves into the untapped potential of underutilized legumes in India, offering a deep exploration of their nutritional composition, health benefits, culinary versatility, and functional attributes. Specifically, we examine kidney beans, fava beans, horse gram, and chickpeas, shedding light on their abundant protein content, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that contribute to human well-being and the prevention of various diseases. The review doesn't shy away from discussing the impact of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) on legume nutritional quality, while also proposing various culinary techniques such as cooking, roasting, and sprouting as effective strategies to mitigate these effects. Moreover, this review underscores the pivotal role that lesser-known legumes can play in addressing malnutrition, bolstering food security, and advancing sustainable agriculture. It outlines strategies aimed at raising awareness, encouraging further research, promoting cultivation, and facilitating market integration, with a strong emphasis on incorporating these legumes into diversified diets and resilient farming systems. Recognizing the cultural and agricultural significance of underutilized legumes in India, this review provides insights into their historical importance and versatile applications. A case study is presented, featuring chickpeas, fava beans, red kidney beans, and horse gram, highlighting their exceptional nutritional value and addressing the challenges posed by ANFs, which can impede nutrient absorption and digestion. The review further delves into strategies to overcome these challenges, encompassing various processing techniques and genetic modifications. It also thoroughly examines several treatments and their effects on specific ANFs, offering a comprehensive perspective on how to harness the full potential of these underutilized legumes for enhanced nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture in India.

FAVA bean; SUSTAINABLE agriculture; AGRICULTURE; CONSCIOUSNESS raising; WELL-being; KIDNEY bean; LEGUMES; CHICKPEA

Journal of Food Measurement & Characterization, 2024, Vol 18, Issue 11, p9588

2193-4126

Academic Journal

10.1007/s11694-024-02905-z