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Bengkuang (Pachyrhizus erosus) is in the pea family (Fabaceae) and is a native Mexican vine that produces an edible tuber called jicama or Mexican turnip in English. This study evaluated the antidiabetic activity of bengkuang extracts administered via oral gavage into rats at 4 days post-induction of streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes mellitus. At 14 days post injection (daily) of extracts at 28 and 56 mg/200 g body weight (BW), blood glucose levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) from 277 ± 4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) for the Diabetes Control Group to 182 ± 3 and 99 ± 55 mg/dl, respectively. The latter glucose level was comparable to that in the Antidiabetic Control Group rats (111 ± 63 mg/dl) injected with glibenclamide at 0.09 mg/200 g BW. The diabetes-induced rats also showed signs of cell recovery from diabetic-associated pancreatic tissue damage, supporting the efficacy of bengkuang treatment. According to phytochemical tests, the bengkuang extract contained various metabolites, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids, that may have been responsible for its antidiabetic activity. The results justify further studies on the underlying mechanisms of bengkuang antidiabetic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The conversion of waste, such as discarded jicama (DJ), to value-added starch, offers the possibility of local economic development and sustainability. Methods: To evaluate the feasibility of reducing food waste, starch from discarded jicama (DJS) and commercial jicama (CJS) were obtained by a conventional method to compare whether the use of the discarded product influences the yield and characteristics of the starch obtained. Results: Significant differences in extraction yield were obtained (5.4% for DJS and 8.3% for CJS). Both starches presented a granule size between 1 and 12 μm, a type C diffraction pattern, amylose content around 14%, and a gelatinization temperature of 61 °C; however, there were some differences in properties such as water solubility index (WSI), swelling power (SP), and pasting. WSI and SP are higher for CJS causing a faster gelatinization process than in DJS. Conclusion: The use of discarded jicama as an alternative source of starch is effective since it reduces agricultural waste through second-generation biorefinery. Results showed that the starch obtained from DJS is considered low-amylose starch, which has some characteristics desirable for the food industry. Statement of Novelty: The novelty of our work entitled "Low amylose starch from discarded jicama tubers (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.) and its techno-functional characterization" can be summarized as the discarded jicama has not been studied as a non-conventional source of starch; this study allows establishing the bases for the use of this agro-industrial residue and giving it added value since the starch demand continues to increase. Additionally, discarded jicama starch can be classified as a low-amylose starch, giving it different technofunctional characteristics than most starches from conventional sources such as corn and potatoes, just to name a few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb. is a tropical perennial vine plant native to southern Mexico, Southeast Asia, Central America, and Africa. In this study, we analyzed and identified various polyphenolic compounds and isoflavones present in ethanolic P. erosus root extracts and investigated their potential anti-obesity activity as a natural health food resource. The extraction process involved drying the yam bean, followed by extraction with 70% ethanol, evaporation, and freeze-drying. Fractionation was achieved through layer separation using n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH), and water. The EtOAc fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among the experimental groups, with an IC50 value of 531.77 µg/mL for ABTS radical scavenging. In α-glucosidase and lipase inhibition assays, IC50 values were determined to be 873.07 µg/mL and 915.02 µg/mL, respectively. Using HPLC and LC-MS/MS, we detected isoflavone components in P. erosus root extracts, identifying daidzein, genistein, and rotenone among them. Daidzein was the most abundant isoflavone in P. erosus root extracts. To validate the anti-obesity activity in the EtOAc fraction and daidzein, we used 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with MDI (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, insulin) for 8 days. Oil Red O staining experiments demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in lipid content in the EtOAc fraction and daidzein treatment groups. Additionally, we examined the expression pattern of proteins related to the leptin-PPAR-FAS Pathway, revealing a concentration-dependent decrease in obesity-related proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto repelente de extractos etanólicos de semillas de Azadirachta indica, Pachyrhizus erosus y hojas de Gliricidia sepium, sobre plagas en Capsicum chinense, Var. anaranjado magnum. Se usó un diseño en bloques con tres tratamientos (T1: A. indica, T2: P. erosus, T3: G. sepium) y control negativo con cinco repeticiones por tratamientos (lote de15 plantas). Para la extracción de los tratamientos se empleó el método de maceración e infusión en etanol-agua destilada. Los tratamientos se aplicaron cada 7 días, asperjando 15 ml/ L de agua. Se realizaron 12 muestreos diurnos para el conteo e identificación visual de plagas. En total se observaron la incidencia de ocho especies de plagas. Bemicia tabasi, Epitrix spp.y Liriomyza spp. predominaron en el cultivo. El extracto etanólico de G. sepium registró la menor incidencia de plagas como B. tabasi y Empoasca spp (p< 0.05).

Background: The storage roots of Pachyrhizus erosus (PE) have been traditionally used as a skin whitening agent in Indonesia and are also consumed fresh in many Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand. However, research on the biological activities of PE is limited. Objective: This study aimed to measure the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and to test the anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant activities of PE extracts. The Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric, the Aluminium chloride colorimetric, the DPPH scavenging, and the Dopachrome assays were used for the experiments. Results: The dichloromethane extract had the highest anti-tyrosinase activity (IC50= 2.08 ± 0.40 mg/mL), total flavonoid content (9.93 ± 0.02 mg QE/g extract), and antioxidant activity (IC50= 40 ± 0.02 µg/mL). The largest total phenolic concentration was found in the 80% ethanol extract, albeit (11.97 ± 0.55 mg GAE/g extract). Conclusion: Based on its remarkable activities, the dichloromethane extract is recommended for future development in skin-lightening products. The study's findings conclude that PE extracts may be used as an alternate source of antioxidants and anti-tyrosinase agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Gastroprotective effects are caused by compounds that can protect the gastric mucosa. Gastroprotective activity provided by plants is due to the presence of a group of secondary metabolite compounds found in the plants. The types of secondary metabolite compounds are flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins. Chromolaena odorata L. contains tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and steroids, while Pachyrhizus erosus L. is known to contain flavonoids and saponins. This study aimed to determine the gasprotective activity of the combination of Chromolaena odorata L. and Pachyrhizus erosus L. extracts in ethanol-induced rats by observing the parameters of the number of peptic ulcers, protection ratio, and images of gastric histopathology. The research method was to make a combination of Chromolaena odorata L. and Pachyrhizus erosus L. extracts which were given to six treatment groups: normal group without treatment; negative control group; positive control group given sucralfate; and three groups given a combination treatment of Chromolaena odorata L. and Pachyrhizus erosus L. extract with a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kgBW. Treatment was done by oral administration for 14 days. On Day 14, after one hour of treatment, 96% ethanol induction was given orally at a dose of 2 ml/200 gBW except for the normal group. The ulcer index produced by negative control, positive control, the treatment with doses of 100, 200, and 400 were 4.18; 2.98; 2.49; 1.64; and 0.78, respectively. The combination of Chromolaena odorata L. and Pachyrhizus erosus L. extracts can prevent gastric damage in rats caused by ethanol induction.

In 2016, obese patients represented 13% of the worldwide adult population, and by 2030, they are projected to make up 34%. Obesity is an incommunicable disease, but it can induce many health problems. The groups consisted of a control, a 65% high-fat group, and a 250 mg/kg P. erosus group. Several biomarkers, such as body weight gain, the presence of TC/LDL/HDL in the serum, the weight of fat tissue, and liver weight/morphology, were investigated to define the anti-obesity mechanisms of P. erosus, and the adipogenesis pathway was studied. P. erosus suppressed body weight gain, decreased TC and LDL, prevented fat tissue weight gain, and prevented liver weight gain by blocking lipid droplet accumulation. P. erosus effectively decreased the up-regulated levels of leptin, significantly controlled both C/EBPα and PPARγ levels, and prevented increased FAS expression levels. We concluded that P. erosus effectively controlled obesity by regulating leptin-C/EBPα-PPARγ and FAS and might be a promising AOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five previously undescribed compounds, including three 12- nor -rotenoids, were isolated from Pachyrhizus erosus seeds. A brief survey on the dealkylation of selected rotenoids with BBr 3 was undertaken. Spectroscopic data of these previously undescribed compounds and reaction products are reported. The proposal of absolute configurations at stereocenters in the isolates and reaction products was based on NMR and ECD data. Most of the isolates and reaction products were evaluated for their growth inhibitory activities against four cancer cell lines and a Vero cell line. Many compounds exhibited strong to moderate activities with IC 50 values ranging from 0.06 to 20.9 μM, and their structure-activity relationships were evaluated. [Display omitted] • Five previously undescribed compounds including three 12- nor -rotenoids were isolated from Pachyrhizus erosus seeds. • A brief survey on reaction of selected rotenoids with BBr 3 was undertaken and results herein reported. • Absolute configurations at the stereocenters in the isolates and reaction products were proposed. • Cytotoxic activities of 26 compounds against four cancer cell lines and a Vero cell were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb. is a tropical perennial vine plant native to southern Mexico, Southeast Asia, Central America, and Africa. In this study, we analyzed and identified various polyphenolic compounds and isoflavones present in ethanolic P. erosus root extracts and investigated their potential anti-obesity activity as a natural health food resource. The extraction process involved drying the yam bean, followed by extraction with 70% ethanol, evaporation, and freeze-drying. Fractionation was achieved through layer separation using n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH), and water. The EtOAc fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among the experimental groups, with an IC50 value of 531.77 µg/mL for ABTS radical scavenging. In α-glucosidase and lipase inhibition assays, IC50 values were determined to be 873.07 µg/mL and 915.02 µg/mL, respectively. Using HPLC and LC-MS/MS, we detected isoflavone components in P. erosus root extracts, identifying daidzein, genistein, and rotenone among them. Daidzein was the most abundant isoflavone in P. erosus root extracts. To validate the anti-obesity activity in the EtOAc fraction and daidzein, we used 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with MDI (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, insulin) for 8 days. Oil Red O staining experiments demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in lipid content in the EtOAc fraction and daidzein treatment groups. Additionally, we examined the expression pattern of proteins related to the leptin-PPAR-FAS Pathway, revealing a concentration-dependent decrease in obesity-related proteins.

The increasing mortality due to hypertension and hypercholesterolemia is directly linked with type-2 diabetes. This shows the lethality of the disease. Reports suggest that the prebiotics along with probiotics help in lowering the effects of type-2 diabetes. Prebiotic like inulin is best known for its anti-diabetic effect. The current study utilizes jicama extract as prebiotic source of inulin along with the bacterial strains with probiotic properties (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium) for treating type-2 diabetes in high-fat diet-induced Drosophila melanogaster model. The high-fat diet-induced Drosophila showed deposition of lipid droplets and formation of micronuclei in the gut. The larva and adult treated with probiotics and synbiotic (probiotic + prebiotic- inulin) comparatively reduced the lipid deposition and micronuclei number in the gut. The increased amount of triglyceride in the whole body of the fatty larva and adult indicated the onset of diabetes. The overexpression of insulin-like genes (Dilp 2) and (Dilp 5) confirmed the insulin resistance, whereas the expression was reduced in the larva and adult supplemented with probiotics and synbiotic. The reactive oxygen species level was reduced with the supplementation of probiotics. The weight, larva size, crawling speed and climbing were also altered in high-fat diet-induced Drosophila melanogaster. The study confirmed the effects of probiotics and synbiotic in successfully lowering diabetes in Drosophila. The study also proved the anti-diabetic potential of the probiotics. Further, it was also confirmed that the probiotics work better in the presence of prebiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric ulcers can be caused by active inflammation due to impaired mucosal integrity, which causes local or widespread lesions. Gastric ulcers can occur due to the use of ethanol, which has a local effect on the gastric. Therefore, the continuous consumption of ethanol can damage gastric cells. Raphanus sativus and Pachyrhizus erosus contain flavonoids, which are well-known to reduce stomach acid as a curative agent. The objective of this study is to see the effect of Raphanus sativus and Pachyrhizus erosus juice as a preventive agent on alcohol-induced gastric ulcers in mice (Mus musculus). A combination of Raphanus sativus and Pachyrhizus erosus was given at a dose of 100, 300, and 600 mg/kgBW. Specifically, Raphanus sativus was given at a dose of 300 mg/kgBW, Pachyrhizus erosus at a dose of 300 mg/kgBW, and positive control was included using sucralfate. The treatment was carried out for 12 days, and 1 hour after the last day of treatment, 20 ml/kgBW of ethanol induction was given 24 hours after the animals were dissected. The results showed that the index value of gastric ulcers in the normal group, negative control, and the combination of Raphanus sativus and Pachyrhizus erosus juice given orally at a dose of 100, 300, and 600 mg/kgBW (Raphanus sativus at a dose of 300 mg/kgBW, Pachyrhizus erosus at a dose of 300 mg/kgBW, and sucralfate as positive control) were 0; 4.00; 1.00; 1.33; 2.33; 2.67; 0 and 2.00. The results of the histopathological analysis also showed improvement in the gastric of mice fed with Pachyrhizus erosus juice. Therefore, it is inferred that treatment using Raphanus sativus and Pachyrhizus erosus juice can reduce the number of ulcers, increase ratio protection, and repair the cells in gastric histopathology. Additionally, giving a single dose of Pachyrhizus erosus juice results in a more significant gastric improvement.

The search for novel natural ingredients has been stimulated by the food and non-food industries, and roots of Pachyrhizus erosus (jicama) emerges as promising crops for industrial production due to its crispy and succulent flesh and high yield. Therefore, jicama starches from Fujian Province (SFJ) and Guangxi Province (SGX) were isolated and the microstructure, swelling power, crystallinity, thermal property, rheological property, and in vitro digestibility were determined. The starch granules of SFJ and SGX showed polyhedral, spherical or semi-spherical shapes with smooth nonporous surface. SFJ and SGX showed increasing solubility and swelling power with the increasing of temperature. By X-ray diffraction analysis, both had typical A-type crystallinity, but SFJ showed lower relative crystallinity (29.4%) than SGX (35.4%). SFJ with smaller granule sizes and lower relative crystallinity showed weaker thermal stability, lower viscosity, weaker strength of starch gels, and lower Resistant Starch (RS) content. The high contents of RS in SFJ (65.67%) and SGX (70.37%) suggested that jicama is promising low energy food for special purposes. •Jicama starches [Sample from Fujian Province (SFJ) and Sample from Guangxi Province (SGX)] were isolated and characterized by various techniques. •SFJ and SGX showed similar shapes with smooth and nonporous surface. •SFJ had smaller granule sizes and lower relative crystallinity. •SFJ gels possessed weaker thermal stability, lower viscosity, and weaker strength. •SGX had lower resistant starch content by in vitro digestion experiment.

Pachyrhizus erosus tuber is rich in protein asides its agronomical value as a legume, but the seeds by which it is propagated have very low viability. This study established sterilization protocol and effect of various concentrations of auxins and cytokinins on callus production and shoot regeneration from explants of P. erosus. Explants and seeds were sterilized using sodiumhypochlorite (NaClO) solution (5, 10 and 15% v/v) for 5 and 10 mins. Nodal, stem and leaf explants from in vitro germinated P. erosus and tuber from field grown plant were sterilized and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (control) and MS combined with different concentrations of auxins (NAA and 2, 4-D) and cytokinin (BA and Kinetin) and the cultured explants were monitored in terms of degree of callus formation, morphology and colour of callus and also for shoot induction. The results showed that seeds of P. erosus sterilized with 10% NaClO solution for 10 mins and germinated in vitro is the best way of getting sterile nodal, stem and leaf explants for the in vitro propagation of the plant, while tuber explants could be sterilized with 15% NaClO for 10 minutes. Nodal explants inoculated in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA gave the highest shoot regeneration response, while stem explants inoculated on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L NAA also gave the highest amount of friable callus. The study concluded that in vitro germinated seeds were the best way of getting explant for P. erosus.

Yam bean is legume with tuberous root originated from the semiarid tropics of Central America, and has been widely spread in several regions in Indonesia. Research on characterization of tuber yam bean was conducted in Kendalpayak Research Station (Malang, Indonesia) from May to October 2016. A total of 73 local yam bean cultivars originated from eight provinces were characterized based on their tuber characteristics. The sensory evaluation was also conducted to evaluate the tuber sweetness, fiber intensity, and texture crunchiness. The average tuber weight was 455.2 g/plant, with the average tuber length and width were 10.78 cm and 8.17 cm, respectively. The ratio of tuber length and width was 1.42, indicates that yam bean tuber in Indonesia tend to be in spherical shape. The average tuber water content was 83.87% (wet basis), showed that the water content was quite high. Based on cluster analysis, 74 local cultivars of yam bean were grouped into five clusters. The tuber weight varied among cultivars and become the distinguishing factor between local cultivars. Local variety of yam beans in Indonesia tend to have sweet taste and crunchy texture. So far, the study on characterization of tuber diversity in Indonesian local cultivar of yam bean is still limited. Thus, these results provide important information to optimize the tuber yam utilization as industrial raw materials.

Roots and tubers are one of the most important crops that provide food security in West Africa. Thus, Pachyrhisus erosus with its various potentials, is planned to be introduced in Benin to improve the nutritional quality of the population. Prior to that, this study aimed at assessing pests and disease of P. erosus in the agroecological conditions in the central parts of Benin. Conducted at experimental field in Savè during two consecutive years, experiments were laid in a completely randomized block design with 4 replications and three treatments including EC 533 and EC Kew cultivars of P. erosus and cowpea variety named Kpodji-Guèguè. Results showed that the major pests collected from P. erosus namely Ootheca mutabilis, Medythia quaterna, Piezotrachelus varium, Megalurothrips sjostedti and Brevipalpus phoenis were not so far reported in it. Compared to cowpea, pest's infestation and their damages were lower on P. erosus. Infestation severity on leaves and the percentage of perforated green pods ranged from 0.7% to 3% against 0.8% to 88.9% and from 12.5% to 16% against 57.2% to 64% respectively on P. erosus and cowpea. Cercospora disease caused by Cercospora canescens and yam bean leaf blight caused by an unknown fungus were observed. Cercospora disease affected cowpea and P. erosus while yam bean leaf blight affected only P. erosus. This study provides additional data on pests and diseases associated with P. erosus worldwide and alerts farmers regarding their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pachyrhizus erosus is a plant that is traditionally used in Asia as a food and herbal medicine. This study examined the impact of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), light-emitting plasma (LEP), and fluorescent lamps (FLs) on the growth, antioxidant properties, and phenolic metabolites of P. erosus. Phenolic compound concentration and composition were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) system. Radical scavenging activity was measured using stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. P. erosus antioxidant activity and phenolic compound composition were improved by the application of LEDs and LEP. Blue LED light also produced significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS values than the other LED and fluorescent light treatments. In P. erosus seedlings, dry weight, fresh weight, plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content were greater under blue LED than under FL light. Furthermore, growth under the blue LED enhanced the epidermal cell length, epidermal cell width, and number of stomata. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic and total flavonoid contents positively correlated in the P. erosus grown under blue LED light condition. Among LED treatments, blue LED produced higher total phenolic compounds, dominated by malonyl daidzin and l-phenylalanine. DPPH assay was highly and significantly correlated with vitexin, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, l-phenylalanine, daidzein, and daidzin. The present study demonstrated that changes in the growth pattern, antioxidant activity, composition, and metabolite concentration occurred in response to light of different wavelengths in P. erosus seedlings. Thus, LED exposure has the potential to enhance the growth characteristics, metabolite accumulation, and antioxidant properties of P. erosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus Rich. Ex DC.) is an underutilized leguminous crop which has been used as a food source across central America and Asia. It is adapted to a range of environments and is closely related to major leguminous food crops, offering the potential to understand the genetic basis of environmental adaptation, and it may be used as a source of novel genes and alleles for the improvement of other legumes. Here, we assembled a draft genome of P. erosus of 460 Mbp in size containing 37,886 gene models. We used this assembly to compare three cultivars each of P. erosus and the closely related P. tuberosus and identified 10,187,899 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The SNP distribution reflects the geographic origin and morphology of the individuals.

Background: This study investigated the potential of Plant-Derived Exosome-Like Nanoparticles (PDENs) as cosmeceutical nanocarriers for treating skin problems, such as scar removal, face rejuvenation, anti-aging, and anti-pigmentation., Objective: Researchers isolated PDENs from Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) using PEG-based precipitation, gradual filtration, and various centrifugations at low temperatures. Followed by in vitro and in vivo studies using HDF cells and Zebrafish., Methods: The morphology of the YB-PDENs was determined using TEM analysis, they had a spherical shape with diameters of 236,83 ± 9,27nm according to PSA. The study found that YB-PDENs were stable in aquabidest at 4°C for one month of storage and had ~-26,5 mV of Zeta Potential. The concentration of YB-PDENs was measured using the BCA Assay, and internalization of YB-PDENs to HDF cells was observed using a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope labelled with PKH67., Result: As for cytotoxicity, after 24 and 72 hours of incubation with YB-PDENs, the viability of HDF cells remained more than 80%. The study also examined cell migration using the Scratch Assay and found that at 2,5 μg/mL, YB-PDENs had better migration results than other concentrations. Immunocytochemistry showed that collagen expression was higher after 14 days of incubation with YB-PDENs, and melanocytes in zebrafish decreased at each concentration compared with controls., Conclusion: In conclusion, this study is the first to extract and describe PDENs from Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus), with YB-PDENs having a promising anti-melanogenic effect in skin treatment. This study highlights the potential of YB-PDENs as a promising alternative to depigmentation and skin whitening treatments., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Yam bean is legume with tuberous root originated from the semiarid tropics of Central America, and has been widely spread in several regions in Indonesia. Research on characterization of tuber yam bean was conducted in Kendalpayak Research Station (Malang, Indonesia) from May to October 2016. A total of 73 local yam bean cultivars originated from eight provinces were characterized based on their tuber characteristics. The sensory evaluation was also conducted to evaluate the tuber sweetness, fiber intensity, and texture crunchiness. The average tuber weight was 455.2 g/plant, with the average tuber length and width were 10.78 cm and 8.17 cm, respectively. The ratio of tuber length and width was 1.42, indicates that yam bean tuber in Indonesia tend to be in spherical shape. The average tuber water content was 83.87% (wet basis), showed that the water content was quite high. Based on cluster analysis, 74 local cultivars of yam bean were grouped into five clusters. The tuber weight varied among cultivars and become the distinguishing factor between local cultivars. Local variety of yam beans in Indonesia tend to have sweet taste and crunchy texture. So far, the study on characterization of tuber diversity in Indonesian local cultivar of yam bean is still limited. Thus, these results provide important information to optimize the tuber yam utilization as industrial raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daidzein compounds dynamic and the effect of yam tuber (Pachyrhizus erosus (L)) Urb on myometrium rats model of estrogenic were investigated. Twentyfour of 5 months-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups as followed, control, Daidzein administraton and yam tuber juice administration for 24 days. The administration of yam tuber juice were given by orally using a stomach with gavage tube in the morning. Every 8 h, the rats blood and urine were collected from tail until 24 h. The treatment were continued until 24 days. The result showed that the level of daidzein in blood and urine of rats that administratered by Yam tuber juice is lower than pure daidzein treatment rats every 8 until 24 hours of collection. The results demonstrated that the administration of yam tuber juice significantly myometrium proliferated in rats. It is assumed that genistein and quercetin is estrogenic as found in daidzein so that the miometrium is potentially more effecctive. This study suggest that phytoestrogen compound from Pachyrhizus erosus may offer a potential as natural estrogenic in women.

In Indonesia, the roots of bengkoang (Phacyrhizus erosus) have been used as the excipient for sun screening and skin whitening paste. Since the active compounds exhibiting skin whitening or sun screening effect have not previously been studied, the aim of this study was to identify compounds with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor activities. Soxhlet extraction was used as the method of isolation with petroleum ether as the solvent and it was followed by fractionation using ethyl acetate to obtain three isoflavonoids (i.e. daidzein (2); daidzein-7-O-ßglucopyranose (3); 5-hydroxy-daidzein-7-O-ß-glucopyranose (4)), and a new pterocarpan (i. e. 8,9-furanyl-pterocarpan-3-ol (1)) which antioxidant activities (SC50% values) of 2.11; 11.86; 0.69 and 7.86 respectively. All compounds showed tyrosinase inhibiting activities with IC50 values of 4.38; 5.35; 7.49 and 22.20 mM, respectively for compound 4, 2, 1 and 3. These compounds can be used as antioxidant and skin whitening materials.

In Indonesia, Bengkoang (Phacyrhizus erosus) have been used as one of cosmetics especially as sun screening and skin whitening materials. Six active compounds in Bengkoang with antioxidant and skin whitening activities have been isolated, namely daidzein, daidzin, genistin, (8,9)-furanyl-pterocarpan-3-ol, 4-(2-(furane-2-yl)ethyl)-2-methyl-2,5-dihydro-furane-3-carbaldehyde and 2-butoxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofurane-3,4-diol. According to literatures, the type of their tyrosinase inhibitory activity has not yet reported. The determination of whitening activity of each compound was evaluated by the evaluation of Lineweaver-Burk plot. The result showed that five compounds had competitive inhibitory activity and 8,9-furanyl-pterocarpan-3-ol showed a non-competitive inhibition.

The fatty acid profiles of six seed oils of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family are reported and discussed. These are the seed oils of Centrosema pubescens, Clitoria ternatea, Crotalaria mucronata, Macroptilium lathyroides, Pachyrhizus erosus, and Senna alata. The most common fatty acid in the fatty acid profiles of these oils is linoleic acid with palmitic, stearic, oleic and linolenic acids usually completing the most prominent fatty acids in these species. Long-chain saturated fatty acids were observed in all oils. Centrosema pubescens and Macroptilium lathyroides exhibited the greatest amounts of long-chain saturated fatty acids exceeding the amount of stearic acid in these oils. C. pubescens exhibited slightly more that 6 % C24:0 together with some fatty acids >C25 and M. lathyroides approximately 4 % C22:0 and 3 % C24:0. The results are comparatively discussed to previous data on the fatty acid profiles of Fabaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo del estudio, fue evaluar la susceptibilidad a la refrigeración, de dos variedades de jícama (Pachyrhizus erosus) denominadas “San Miguelito” y “Vega de San Juan”, almacenadas a 10°C y 13 °C. De estas variedades se extrajo la membrana plasmática y analizada en los contenidos de fosfolípidos, ácidos grasos y a-Tocoferol. En tejido, se analizó el contenido de ácido ascórbico. Se encontró en la variedad “San Miguelito” una disminución notable de a-Tocoferol (71%) y de ácido ascórbico (46%), y en Vega de San Juan (79%-29%), respectivamente. En las dos variedades, la fosfatidilcolina (FC), disminuyó en 32% y 71% respectivamente, Los resultados indican, que el almacenamiento en temperaturas de induce a la pérdida de la membrana y estrés oxidativo, por la incapacidad de la jícama a regenerar a-Tocoferol y ácido ascórbico.

The production of mineral fertilizers is a expensive process, since it requires high energy consumption, and cannot be produced by small farmers. Laboratory assays were conducted to produce P-biofertilizers from natural phosphate (B5, B10, B15, B20), applying sulphur at different rates (5; 10; 15 and 20%) inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) and testing increasing periods of incubation. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the biofertilizers in a soil with low available P (Typic Fragiudult) from the "Zona da Mata" of Pernambuco State, grown with yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) in two consecutive harvests. The treatments were: Natural Phosphate (NP); biofertilizers produced in laboratory (B5, B10, B15, B20) with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus (NP+S*); natural phosphate with sulphur (20%) without Acidithiobacillus (NP+S); triple super phosphate (TSP) and a control without phosphorus. Plants were inoculated with a mixture of rhizobia strains (NFB 747 and NFB 748) or did not receive rhizobia inoculation. In bioassays pH and available P in the biofertilizers were analyzed. In the greenhouse experiment shoot dry matter, total N and total P in shoots, soil pH and available P were determined. Higher rates of available P were obtained in biofertilizers with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus (NP+S*) and in triple super phosphate (TSP), and biofertilizers with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus (FN+S*) and triple super phosphate (TSP) increased plant parameters. Native rhizobia were as effective as the strains applied in inoculation. After the two harvests soil presented lower pH values and higher rates of available P when the biofertilizers B15 and B20 with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus were applied.

Pseudomonas bijieensis is a newly established species with antifungal activity. Here, we report the high-quality and complete genome sequence for P. bijieensis strain SP1, created by hybrid assembly using both short reads and long reads. The length of the circular chromosome is about 6.67 Mb, with a GC content of 60.89%. Bioinformatic analyses revealed gene clusters for the biosynthesis of antimicrobial metabolites 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol as well as bacterial secretion systems (type I to III and type V to VI). Interestingly, this strain can cause soft rot symptoms in the roots of yam bean, showing the potential to be a plant pathogen. The genomic data will be a valuable resource for exploring the virulence mechanism and antifungal activity of this strain., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da fertilização com fósforo, potássio e magnésio na fixação do N2 em jacatupé (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) cultivado em um Latossolo Amarelo distrófico álico da Zona da Mata de Pernambuco, foi conduzido um experimento inoculando as sementes com a estirpe de Bradyrhizobium sp. NFB 450. Foram aplicadas quatro fórmulas de adubação com potássio e magnésio, na proporção (K2O:MgO) 2:1, em quantidades crescentes (0:0, 40:20, 60:30 e 80:40 kg ha-1 de K2O e MgO, respectivamente) e cinco níveis de fósforo (0, 20, 40, 60 e 80 kg ha-1 de P2O5, na forma de superfosfato triplo). A produção máxima foi obtida quando aplicou-se 64 kg ha-1 de P2O5. Observou-se efeito significativo para os níveis de K2O-MgO, quando em comparação com o tratamento sem K e Mg; entretanto, com o aumento da aplicação verificou-se diminuição da produção de matéria seca e do N total, e aumento do P total acumulado na parte aérea. O jacatupé respondeu a níveis baixos da fertilização com P, K e Mg, e mostrou-se efetivo na fixação do N2, com grande potencial na produção de biomassa.In order to evaluate the effects of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium application on the nutrient absorption and yield of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban), in a Yellow Latosol of the Zona da Mata of Pernambuco State, Brazil, an experiment was carried out using the strain of Bradyrhizobium sp. NFB 450, isolated from yam bean and selected for efficient N2 fixation in previous experiments. Potassium and magnesium were applied in the proportion of 2:1 (K2O:MgO) in increasing levels (0:0, 40:20, 60:30 and 80:40 kg ha-1 of K2O and MgO, respectively), and crescent levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1 of P2O5) were added in the form of triple superphosphate. Maximum dry matter production, total N and total P accumulated were obtained when applying 64 kg ha-1 of P2O5. A significant effect of K2O:MgO levels was observed in relation to the treatment without K and Mg application; nevertheless, higher levels of K2O:MgO decreased dry matter and total N, and increased total P accumulation. Yam bean responded to low levels of P, K and Mg fertilizer, and showed ability in N2 fixation, with great potential for biomass production.

An extract of a rotenone-containing plant yam bean, Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban, seeds was tested against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) in a greenhouse to determine its potential as an oviposition deterrent and compared with coumarin and rutin, known as diamondback moth oviposition deterrent compounds, rotenone, and an extract of Peruvian cube root, at a concentration of 0.5% (w/v). Oviposition deterrent index (ODI) was used to determine effects of extracts or compounds in inhibiting oviposition of diamondback moth. Coumarin showed a stronger deterrent effect than the yam bean seed extract with a higher ODI value. On the contrary, rotenone, rutin, and the cube root extract, containing 6.7% (w/w) of rotenone, showed no significant deterrent effects having low or negative ODI values, suggesting that the deterrent effect of the yam bean seed extract is not due to rotenone content of the yam bean seeds. The extract of yam bean seed and coumarin partially deterred the moth from laying eggs on treated leaves in a concentration-dependent manner. The effective concentration for 50% deterrency of coumarin and the yam bean seed extract were 0.11 and 0.83% (w/v), respectively. However, the yam bean seed extract showed a residual deterrent effect on the moth even at 3 d after the treatment and is probably because of its low volatile nature. A long-term deterrency of the yam bean seed extract is an advantage over coumarins. Both the yam bean seed extract and coumarin deterred diamondback moth from laying eggs in total darkness, indicating their nonvisual deterrent effect. This made the extract an effective deterrence to diamondback moth in light and in darkness. To conclude, this study revealed the potential of the crude extract of the yam bean seed to prevent diamondback moth from ovipositing on its plant host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Indonesia, Bengkoang (Phacyrhizus erosus) have been used as one of cosmetics especially as sun screening and skin whitening materials. Six active compounds in Bengkoang with antioxidant and skin whitening activities have been isolated, namely daidzein, daidzin, genistin, (8,9)-furanyl-pterocarpan-3-ol, 4-(2-(furane-2-yl)ethyl)-2-methyl-2,5-dihydro-furane-3-carbaldehyde and 2-butoxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofurane-3,4-diol. According to literatures, the type of their tyrosinase inhibitory activity has not yet reported. The determination of whitening activity of each compound was evaluated by the evaluation of Lineweaver-Burk plot. The result showed that five compounds had competitive inhibitory activity and 8,9-furanyl-pterocarpan-3-ol showed a non-competitive inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jicama ( Pachyrhizus erosus L.) is a root-based legume that has been cultivated in Mexico for centuries. Pectic polysaccharide from de-starched jicama pomace was extracted using an autoclave-assisted process and physicochemically characterized. The extracted polysaccharide (1.0 g L) was used for the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with water-soluble chitosan (WSCh; 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g L). The extraction yield of jicama pectic polysaccharide was 22.8 wt% (dry basis) and infrared spectroscopic analysis showed that it was methoxylated to a small degree. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that this biopolymer was very stable, its weight loss being 51.2% after heating at 479 °C. Anion-exchange chromatography showed it to have a wide and heterogeneous charge density. The yield of the PECs was dependent on the concentration of WSCh used, it being 13.3, 26.7 and 18.3% with WSCh at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g L, respectively. The PECs had higher thermostability compared with WSCh and this confirmed the complex formation between WSCh and jicama polysaccharide. WSCh is a promising polycation able to interact with low-methoxylated pectic polysaccharide from jicama to produce PECs with uses in a wide variety of specialized applications such as food technology and medicine. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry A polyelectrolyte complex was formed as a result of the interaction between pectic polysaccharide from jicama and water-soluble chitosan (20 kg mol). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Yam soluble fiber (YSF) extracted from Pachyrhizus erosus was added (1g per 100mL) to a stirred yogurt (SYYSF). Its syneresis and microstructure properties were evaluated and compared to those of a stirred yogurt (SYC) without added YSF. The SYC yogurt exhibited a more compact casein micelle aggregates network than that of the SYYSF yogurt which was more open, relaxed and covered with fibrous structures attributed to the YSF components. The rheological analysis showed that the SYYSF yogurt had lower storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) values in the linear viscoelastic region than the SYC yogurt, but its flow behavior was characterized by a lower flow index (n), higher consistency index (k), and higher yield stress (τ 0) than the SYC yogurt. Incorporation of the YSF reduced significantly the syneresis and produced a more acceptable mouthfeel in the SYYSF yogurt in comparison to the SYC yogurt, indicating the viability of the process to obtain a commercial product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe mosaic with leaf malformation and green vein banding was observed on yam bean in West and Central Java, Indonesia. Virions of the causal virus were flexuous filaments, about 700 nm in length, with a coat protein of 30 kDa. The virus was transmitted by mechanical inoculation and by aphids in a nonpersistent manner. The nucleotide sequence of the coat protein gene had the highest identity with that of Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV, genus Potyvirus) isolate VN/BB2-5. Based on demarcation criteria, including the genome sequence and host range, we tentatively designate this isolate as BCMV-IYbn (Indonesian yam bean). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An orthogonal experimental design L9 (34) in triplicate was used to optimize the osmotic drying process of jicama or Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus). The effect of sucrose content, temperature, time of submerging and thickness of the fruit, on the osmotic drying process of Yam bean were tested. Maximal water loss was obtained when 10mm fruit slices were submerged in a sucrose concentration of 60° Brix maintained at 60°C for 2h, while maximum impregnation was obtained when 5-mm slices were submerged in a 50° Brix solution maintained at 60°C for 6h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bacterial intraspecies and interspecies communication in the rhizosphere is mediated by diffusible signal molecules. Many Gram-negative bacteria use N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) as autoinducers in the quorum sensing response. While bacterial signalling is well described, the fate of AHLs in contact with plants is much less known. Thus, adsorption, uptake and translocation of N-hexanoyl- (C6-HSL), N-octanoyl- (C8-HSL) and N-decanoyl-homoserine lactone (C10-HSL) were studied in axenic systems with barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and the legume yam bean ( Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) as model plants using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) and tritium-labelled AHLs. Decreases in AHL concentration due to abiotic adsorption or degradation were tolerable under the experimental conditions. The presence of plants enhanced AHL decline in media depending on the compounds’ lipophilicity, whereby the legume caused stronger AHL decrease than barley. All tested AHLs were traceable in root extracts of both plants. While all AHLs except C10-HSL were detectable in barley shoots, only C6-HSL was found in shoots of yam bean. Furthermore, tritium-labelled AHLs were used to determine short-term uptake kinetics. Chiral separation by GC-MS revealed that both plants discriminated D-AHL stereoisomers to different extents. These results indicate substantial differences in uptake and degradation of different AHLs in the plants tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phosphate rocks have low available P and soluble P fertilizers have been preferably used in plant crop production, although economic and effective P sources are needed. Experiments were carried out on a Brazilian Typic Fragiudult soil with low available P to evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of phosphate rock (PR) compared with soluble phosphate fertilizer. Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) inoculated with rhizobia (strains NFB 747 and NFB 748) or not inoculated was the test crop. Biofertilizers were produced in field furrows by mixing phosphate rock (PR) and sulphur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S+Ac) in different rates (50, 100, 150 and 200gSkg−1 PR), with 60 days of incubation. Treatments were carried out with PR; biofertilizers B50, B100, B150, B200; triple super phosphate (TSP); B200 without Acidithiobacillus and a control treatment without P application (P0). TSP and biofertilizers plus S inoculated with Acidithiobacillus increased plant growth. Soil acidity and available P increased when biofertilizers B150 and B200 were applied. We conclude that biofertilizers may be used as P source; however, long term use will reduce soil pH and potentially reduce crop growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Jicama (Pachyrizus erosus L. Urban) is a plant native to Mexico and Central America where its root is eaten for its succulence and its sweet starchy taste. During its commercialization, as a whole or cut root, it is easily damaged, and brown areas appear on the root. This browning has been attributed to polyphenol oxidase (PPO) which acts on the phenols; nevertheless, the participation of other enzymes in the process has not been evaluated. The objective of this work was to relate the activity of PPO and peroxidase (POD) and the phenolics and lignin content during the development of browning on cut jicama stored at 10 and 20 °C for a week. Their color changes, phenolics and lignin content and the activities of PPO and POD on external as well as internal tissue were analyzed daily. After a week at 20 °C, the phenolic content, expressed as gallic acid in fresh tissue, increased from 0.37 to 1.04 g kg-1 while the lignin content, expressed as coumaric acid, increased from 16.50 to 52.22 mg kg-1. The lignin values were correlated with color changes expressed by chroma (R2=0.8765). PPO and POD activities were induced by damage and were greater in the damaged external tissue than in the internal tissue; they were also influenced by temperature. POD was at a maximum on the sixth day of storage at 20 °C (7500 units of activity (UA) kg-1). Coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids, coniferaldehyde and coniferyl alcohol (precursors in lignin synthesis) proved to be good substrates for POD with Km of 40.0, 89.4, 150.0, 44.1 and 580 μM, respectively. Results suggest that the browning of cut jicama at 20 °C is related to the process of lignification in which the peroxidase enzyme plays an important role. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus), a high-yielding leguminous root crop with good nutritional value, is widely cultivated in southern China. In 2020, P. erosus (cv. Mumashan) plants exhibiting irregular yellow leaves and malformed seed pods (Supplementary Fig S1) were observed at Ningbo city, Zhejiang Province, China. To determine the causal agent(s) of the disease, symptomatic leaves (n=4) were collected for electron microscopy negative staining. Virus particles with a length of about 700nm, similar to viruses in the genus Potyvirus, were observed via transmission electron microscope (TEM), suggesting the presence a potyvirus(es). To further confirm which potyvirus(es) infected yam bean, total RNA was extracted from leaf samples of a total of six plants, including four symptomatic plants and two asymptomatic plants using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen Carlsbad, CA, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. RNA was reverse-transcribed into cDNA with M4-T as the 3'-anchoring primer by ReverTra Ace® kit (Toyobo, Japan). Sprimer/M4 Potyviridae specific primers (Chen et al., 2001) were used for PCR analysis. A ~1,700-bp-long product was amplified from four symptomatic plants using KOD FX enzyme (Toyobo, Japan). No such band was amplified from the two asymptomatic plants. The PCR product (~1.7kb) amplified from a single symptomatic plant was ligated into the pEASY®-Blunt Zero vector (TransGen Bio, Beijing, China) and sequenced (Sangon Bio, Shanghai, China). The amplicon showed 99% nucleotide sequence identities with bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) isolate NKY021 (KJ807819). Subsequently, the complete nucleotide sequences of this BCMV isolate (referred as BCMV-NB) was amplified by overlapping RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends with primers (Supplementary Table S1) designed from the sequence of BCMV isolate NKY021. The BCMV-NB full genome (Accession No. OL871237) consists of 10,053 nucleotides excluding the poly(A) tail and contains a large open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3222 amino acids. BLASTn analysis showed that BCMV-NB shared a sequence identity of 96.4% with BCMV isolate HZZB011 (KJ807815). Phylogenetic tree generated by Neighbour-Joining method revealing the BCMV-NB isolate was grouped together with Chinese isolates from Glycine max (Supplementary Fig S1). To test the infectivity of BCMV-NB, virus-free yam bean (cv. Mumashan) and Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings were mechanically inoculated with sap extracted from the symptomatic leaves of a BCMV-NB-infected yam bean plant. The inoculated yam bean plants developed typical BCMV mosaic and chlorotic symptoms at 16 days post inoculation (dpi), while Nicotiana benthamiana had no obvious symptoms at 10 or 20 dpi (Supplementary Fig S1). BCMV infections were confirmed in yam bean plants (infection rate 6/6) and N. benthamiana plants (infection rate 8/8) by RT-PCR at 16 dpi and 10 dpi, respectively. Twelve further P. erosus plants (cv. Mumashan) were collected from a field in Ningbo city and tested by RT-PCR with BCMV-specific primer pair BCMV CP (+)/(-) (Supplementary Table 1). Eight out of the 12 samples tested positive for BCMV by PCR-gel electrophoresis (Supplementary Fig S1) and Sanger sequencing, suggesting a high incidence of BCMV infection in this field. BCMV infection in yam bean has been reported from Indonesia (Damayanti et al., 2008) and Peru (Fuentes et al., 2012). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BCMV naturally infecting yam bean in China. Thus, special attention and appropriate management strategies are needed to minimize the damage caused by BCMV to yam bean crops in China.

Pachyrhizus erosus seeds were analysed for proximate composition, minerals, protein fractions, antinutritional factors, and rotenoids. The seeds showed a high content of proteins, lipids, Fe and Ca, in comparison to other legumes. Glutelins constitute the highest protein fraction, followed by globulins. Antinutritional substances detected as tannins, hemagglutinating activity and trypsin inhibitory activity, were in low concentrations. Seeds were also processed to obtain a flour which showed proper characteristics, good in vitro digestibility, significant rotenoid reduction level and amino acid composition rich in essential amino acids, except methionine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus Rich. Ex DC.) is an underutilized leguminous crop which has been used as a food source across central America and Asia. It is adapted to a range of environments and is closely related to major leguminous food crops, offering the potential to understand the genetic basis of environmental adaptation, and it may be used as a source of novel genes and alleles for the improvement of other legumes. Here, we assembled a draft genome of P. erosus of 460 Mbp in size containing 37,886 gene models. We used this assembly to compare three cultivars each of P. erosus and the closely related P. tuberosus and identified 10,187,899 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The SNP distribution reflects the geographic origin and morphology of the individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]