Variations in Vitamin C, Fatty Acids, Total Metabolites, and Antioxidant Capacity Levels of Yardlong Bean Accessions Grown in Korea

Abstract

This study examined the variations of key biochemical components across 64 yardlong bean accessions grown in Korea and compared their performance with Sinseondu, a local common bean cultivar. All parameters showed significant variations (p < 0.05), indicating a wide genetic diversity among the accessions. Vitamin C content ranged from 0.31 to 4.18 ㎎/g and exhibited a coefficient of variation (CV) of 37.23%. Likewise, the contents of palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid were in the ranges of 21.69 32.84, 2.30 4.87, 4.23 18.04, 24.66 46.02, and 15.03 32.83%, respectively. The CV for these fatty acids ranged from 5.02% in palmitic acid to 28.01% in oleic acid, signifying lipid quality differences. Total phenol, total tannin, and total saponin contents showed more than three-fold variation, while antioxidant activities, including DPPH• scavenging activity, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and reducing power, showed over six-fold variation. The control cultivar had the lowest levels of vitamin C, total phenol, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid, but the highest linolenic acid. Overall, Sinseondu exhibited a better lipid quality, but lower antioxidant properties than the yardlong bean accessions. Cluster analysis divided the studied accessions into seven groups, and showed significant variation in all parameters (p < 0.05). Principal component and correlation analyses also showed noteworthy associations between the analyzed parameters. This study demonstrated the biochemical diversity of yardlong beans recently cultivated in Korea. Accordingly, sixteen accessions with desirable qualities were identified and hence, they could be used in food industries and breeding programs.