Comparative GC-MS analysis of phytochemical compounds in seeds of Hebbal Avare-3 (Lablab purpureus var. lignosus) and its high-yielding M3 generation mutants

Field bean (Lablab purpureus var. lignosus) is a multipurpose leguminous plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, extensively cultivated in tropical regions and known for its nutritional values and numerous pharmacological properties. Limited genetic variability poses significant challenges to traditional crop improvement methods. However, mutation breeding offers a promising alternative for enhancing field bean traits. This study utilizes GCMS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) analysis to compare the phytochemical profiles of Hebbel Avare-3 (HA-3) and its high-yielding M3 generation mutants namely, M8-18, 10 mM and 100 Gy. HA-3 exhibited the presence of 32 phytochemical compounds, while M8-18 contained 44, 10 mM revealed 32 and 100 Gy showed 36 phytochemical compounds. The mutants revealed ten abundant novel phytochemicals that were not detected in HA-3, such as 1,3-propanediol, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-nitro-, 9,12-octadecanoic acid, 2,3- dihydroxypropyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester, stigmasterol, gamma-sitosterol, 9,11-octadeca-dienoic acid, methyl ester,(E,E)-, octadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, gamma-tocopherol, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-,2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, octanoic acid, 2-furanylmethyl ester, which have various pharmaceutical, agrochemical and food industry applications. M8-18 is rich in 1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl) (20.60%), 10 mM in stigmasterol (13.40%) and 100 Gy in 1,3-propanediol, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-nitro (19.37%). These newly identified compounds in seeds possess antifungal properties, anticancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The enhanced phytochemical profiles of these mutants will aid in developing a superior field bean variety with various applications in pharmaceuticals and for human consumption.