Improving nutritional composition index of seeds of common bean lines

Common bean cultivars developed through interspecific crosses with five different Phaseolus species (P. vulgaris, P. coccineus, P. acutifolius, P. dumosus, and P. parvifolius) to combine desirable nutritional characteristics in their seeds are important for improving nutritional value and food security in the Global South. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional composition (ash, crude protein, fat, fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) and mineral status (Fe, Zn, K, Mg and other minerals) of 112 common bean genotypes including bred lines that were developed from interspecific crosses and were grown under acidic soil and high-temperature stress conditions in Colombia's Amazon region. Genotypes tested for nutritional composition and mineral status were grouped into three different typologies: high Fe and Zn content (HFZ); high dietary fiber and cellulose (HDFC); and low dietary fiber and cellulose (LDFC). Based on genotypic differences found and grouping of genotypes according to fiber content and mineral status, we developed nutritional composition index (NCI) as a selection criterion to assess nutritional value of common bean. The NCI was created by considering variables that have both positive and negative impacts on nutritional quality. Among the genotypes evaluated, bean materials with HFZ typology exhibited a mean NCI value of 0.53, including four genotypes (SEF 49, SEF 10, NCB 280, VAP 15) developed from interspecific crosses. Four genotypes of P. acutifolius exhibited HDFC typology with a mean NCI value higher than 0.3 compared to other genotypes. Among the genotypes of LDFC typology, P. acutifolius accession G 40001 exhibited the lowest NCI value. Regarding fiber content, HDFC typology included mainly genotypes of P. acutifolius species (G 40250, G 40253, G 40254) with NCI values higher than 0.3. NCI showed higher values of correlation coefficients with crude protein, K, Fe and Zn. Combining NCI and NQI values-which include bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity-helped identify common bean lines with superior nutritional quality. Results from this study highlight the superior nutritional value of SEF 49 and SEF 10 based on NCI values and these two genotypes could serve as valuable parents in future bean breeding programs aimed at improving the nutritional value of common bean.