Nutritional composition, metal content, and health risks of mung beans (Vigna radiata L.) from Melo Koza Woreda, Ethiopia

The current study aims to evaluate the nutrients, antinutrients, and health risks associated with consuming mung bean cultivars collected from Melo Koza Woreda, South Ethiopia. A multi-factorial experimental design (3 × 2 × 2) is employed, in which samples are collected from three kebeles of farmland located at two different altitudes, and the cultivar and processing factors (hulled and unhulled) of mung beans are examined. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software, which revealed a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between cultivars, locations, and processing factors. Proximate composition is estimated to be in the following range: fiber (2.50–7.83 %), fat (0.33–2.45 %), protein (25.62–35.24 %), and digestible carbohydrates (51.92–60.09 %). The mineral concentration (mg kg⁻¹) ranges were K (27.97–85.49), Mg (33.74–47.82), Na (1.65–12.89), Ca (6.36–9.92), Fe (4.50–14.06), Zn (0.50–1.13), Cd (0.16–0.33), Pb (4.40–16.07), and Cr (1.73–5.43). Statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), are employed to interpret the data. PCA revealed that four and three principal components accounted for 82.9 % and 88.2 % of the total variance for metals and proximate composition, respectively. PCA accounted for a high eigenvalue (0.61) of Pb, which shared high on the cumulative variance, 82.9 % loading by all metals. Furthermore, the results of the bioavailability of minerals, hazard quotient values of metals, and the hazard index of combined toxic metals are found to be within safe limits (< 1). The carcinogenic risk values of metals are also within the acceptable limit. The study's findings demonstrated that mung bean varieties possess potential health-contributing factors that can enhance food quality and human health. Furthermore, the assessment recommends that the studied Mung bean cultivars are safe for consumption. • Evaluated nutrients, anti-nutritional components, and bioavailability of minerals. • The range of proteins was 25.62 % - 35.24 % and carbohydrates were 51.92 % - 60.09 %. • Anti-nutritional factors were low, indicating good nutrient bioavailability. • Hazard quotient & hazard index were < 1, indicating no carcinogenic risk. • Mung beans from study areas are safe and nutritious for human consumption.