Silas Njiru1, Alex Muthengi¹*, Fidelis Ngugi¹, Regina Tende² and Rael Karimi²

¹Department of Basic Sciences, Tharaka University, Marimanti, Kenya
²Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Katumani, Machakos, Kenya

*Corresponding Author: Alex Muthengi, Department of Basic Sciences, Tharaka University, Marimanti, Kenya.

Received: December 16, 2024; Published: January 18, 2025

Abstract

Mung beans (Vigna radiata L.), commonly known as green grams, are a vital legume crop with significant nutritional and economic importance. As a resilient crop suited to arid and semi-arid conditions, mung beans contribute to food security and income generation, particularly in resource-constrained regions. However, maximizing their potential requires a focus on breeding resilient varieties capable of withstanding various biotic and abiotic stresses.This study utilized UV-Vis spectroscopy to perform metabolite profiling of 23 mung bean varieties, including wild and local accessions sourced from KALRO Katumani. Metabolites quantified included proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids using standards such as gallic acid, catechol, and albumin serum. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in the metabolite profiles across the varieties, as indicated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). These results highlight the diversity in metabolite composition among the varieties, which can serve as potential biomarkers in breeding programs. By identifying metabolite variations, such as high levels of phenols and tannins associated with stress responses, this study emphasizes the role of metabolomics in developing resilient mung bean varieties. The findings support the integration of metabolite profiling in breeding strategies to enhance the crop's overall adaptability and sustainability. Leveraging these insights can contribute to reducing reliance on chemical inputs, promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices, and securing global food systems through the cultivation of robust mung bean varieties.

Keywords: Mung beans; Metabolites; Bruchids; UV-VIS Sectrophotometry

References

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Citation

Citation: Alex Muthengi., et al. “Metabolite Profiling of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Varieties Using UV-Vis Spectroscopy: A Tool for Breeding Resilience". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 9.2 (2025): 32-36.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Alex Muthengi., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.