Garbanzo Diet Lowers Cholesterol in Hamsters

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect garbanzo containing diet on cholesterol in hamster fed cholesterol containing high fat diet. It was hypothesized that garbanzo diet would lower cholesterol in hamsters, based on previous observation of the bile acid binding potential of garbanzo. Garbanzo (Cicer arietinum), Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum), lentils (Lens culinaris), soy protein isolate (SPI) or casein (control) diets were fed to hamsters for three weeks. Initial and final animal weights, feed intakes and plasma triglycerides values were similar among all the treatments. Garbanzo containing diet significantly lowered total plasma cholesterol (TC) compared with casein control. There was 17% reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in hamsters fed the garbanzo diet;this difference was not significant due to high variability in within treatment values. Plasma cholesterol values with lentils diet were similar those with the control diet. Liver lipid and liver cholesterol values with lentils diet were higher than all the other treatments. Data suggest that garbanzo diet has the potential to lower the risk of atherosclerosis and improve human health.

Relative Bile Acid Binding Potential of Extruded Lentil Snacks

Previously we have reported that extrusion significantly improved healthful potential of cereals. It was hypothesized that snacks produced by extrusion would be more healthful than their raw formulations. Bile acid binding has been reported to indicate cholesterol lowering and cancer risk reduction potential of food and fractions. Bile acid binding potential of five lentil snack raw formulations and their extruded snacks were evaluated. The raw formulations were 100% lentils (F01), 69% lentils (F02), 57% lentils + 12% supplement (F03), F03 with 125 μg/100g Chromium (F04), F03 with 536 μg/100g Chromium (F05), and their respective extruded (E) snacks E01, E02, E03, E04 and E05. The in vitro bile acid binding on an equal dry matter basis relative to cholestyramine, was F01 (0.5%), E01 (3.7%), F02 (0.6%), E02 (3.0%), F03 (1.6%), E03 (5.1%), F04 (2.0%), E04 (4.2%), F05 (0.8%) and E05 (3.6%). Replacing 12% lentils with high protein supplements (F02 vs. F03) resulted in significantly higher bile acid binding, suggesting that the supplement appears to have higher bile acid binding capacity than that of lentils. All the extruded lentil snacks had significantly higher bile acid binding compared with their raw formulations. Extruding with added chromium containing yeast resulted in significantly lower bile acid binding in a dose dependent manner. Most healthful lentil snacks were produced with the addition of high protein supplement without added chromium-containing yeast (E03). Data proved the hypothesis that lentil snacks produced by extrusion are significantly more healthful than their raw formulations.

Global production, processing and utilization of lentil： A review

Lentil is a highly nutritious legume with an ample quantity of carbohydrates and good amount of proteins, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals and fibres. Although it has been used as staple food since ancient times, its usage has been limited in developed countries, especially due to the lower protein digestibility, presence of anti-nutritional factors, flatulence and poor cooking qualities. Processing of lentils including dehulling and splitting and isolation of major fractions, e.g., proteins and starches are some of the strategies that can be adopted to add value and increase consumption of these legumes. This review paper intends to provide detailed overview of lentil＇s global production, nutritional composition and processing methods of lentil. Methods of isolation/characterization of lentil protein and starch and their subsequent application in foods are also presented.

RNA-Seq analysis and development of SSR and KASP markers in lentil(Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris)

Lentil(Lens culinaris Medikus subsp.culinaris,2 n=14)is a cool-season legume with high production potential for multiple uses.However,limited molecular research has been conducted in this species owing to its large genome,which impedes the generation of genome sequences and the development of molecular markers.In this study,more than 1.37 billion filtered clean reads were collected by RNA-Seq of six diverse lentil accessions and217,836 transcripts and 161,095 unigenes were de novo assembled,yielding respectively 257.1 and 240.6 million nucleotides.The mean transcript length was 1180 bp and the N50 and N90 lengths were respectively 2075 and 479 bp.The mean length of the unigenes was 1494 bp and their N50 and N90 values were respectively 2203 and 714 bp.The unigenes were annotated against seven databases.The FLOWERING LOCUS T(FT)gene homolog in lentil showed high protein sequence similarity to the FT gene homologs of pea and alfalfa.On the basis of the RNA-Seq analysis,26,449 EST-SSR markers were designed in silico,and 276 preliminarily screened markers were selected to evaluate polymorphism in 94 diverse lentil accessions.In total,125(45.29%)of 276 EST-SSR markers were found to be polymorphic.A total of 130,073 SNP loci were detected and 78(61.41%)of 127 SNPs were successfully converted to KASP markers.Population genetic analyses of the lentil accessions with EST-SSR and KASP markers revealed similar genetic structures,suggesting that the RNA-Seq-generated resources and the developed markers are reliable for use in molecular marker-assisted breeding of lentil.

Gene bank scheduling of seed regeneration: Interim report on a long term storage study

A major challenge for the management of gene banks is the maintenance of good seed health in the collections.Large germplasm collections >10 000 accessions often have been acquired from different sources over a range of dates,may differ in germination at time of deposition in the gene bank,and may have genetic differences in seed longevity.The major storage variables affecting seed longevity are temperature and seed moisture content.Two varieties of each pea(Pisum sativus L.),lentil(Lens culinaris Medikus subsp.culinaris),and chickpea(Cicer arietinum L.),were stored at three temperatures;40,20,and 2°C,each with three seed moisture levels of 10.9–13.8%(high),7.9–10.3%(medium),and 7–7.8%(low),in the Australian Temperate Field Crops Collection gene bank.Seed longevity at a given storage period was estimated by the corresponding germination percentage for each treatment.This paper is an interim report on seed viability decline in the first seven years of this seed longevity study,in which viability decline towards zero was almost completed in the three seed moisture treatments at 40°C and the 20°C high seed moisture treatment,but had not declined in the other treatments.Seed longevity positively responded to a reduction in temperature and then to a reduction in seed moisture.The number of days in storage for seed germination decline to 85%(p85),and to 50%(p50) for mean seed viability,are reported by storage/varietal treatment.Both p85 and p50 showed significant inverse linear responses with seed moisture at 40°C for pea and lentil varieties,with intra-specific variation for pea.This long term trial aims to provide informed timing of seed regeneration for accessions in a gene bank.

Mineral concentrations of chickpea and lentil cultivars and breeding lines grown in the U.S.Pacific Northwest

Diseases and health complications caused by mineral deficiencies afflict billions of people globally. Developing pulse crops with elevated seed mineral concentrations can contribute to reducing the incidence of these deficiencies. The objectives of this study were to estimate variance components conditioning seed mineral concentrations of chickpea and lentil grown in Washington and Idaho, determine correlations between different mineral concentrations and between mineral concentrations and yield, 100-seed weight, and days to flowering, and compare seed mineral concentrations between chickpeas and lentils grown in adjacent plots. Genotype effects, although significant in chickpea and lentil for all minerals except selenium, tended to be minimal compared to location, year, and their interaction effects. In both chickpeas and lentils high positive correlations were observed between seed concentrations of phosphorus and potassium, phosphorus and zinc, and potassium and zinc. Correlations between mineral concentration and yield, and mineral concentration and days to 50% flowering were similar for chickpeas and lentils across the majority of minerals. These results may reflect similarities between the two crops in physiological processes for mineral uptake and partitioning. Lentils had higher concentrations of iron and zinc than chickpea when the two crops were grown in adjacent plots,whereas chickpeas had higher concentrations of calcium and manganese. Plant genotypes that are more efficient at obtaining minerals from growing environments will be useful as parental materials to develop improved chickpea and lentil cultivars that have good yield potential coupled with high seed mineral concentrations.

Identification,development,and application of cross-species intron-spanning markers in lentil(Lens culinaris Medik.)

Lentil(Lens culinaris Medik) is one of the most important food legumes in the world. The use in lentil of molecular marker-assisted breeding is limited, owing to the low availability of polymorphic markers. In the present study, we developed a set of polymorphic intron-spanning markers(ISMs) using a cross-species mapping approach. In this approach, putative unique transcripts(PUTs) of L. culinaris were mapped onto the Medicago truncatula genome, exploiting its closeness with the lentil genome. Spliced alignment of the PUTs resulted in a total of 25,717 alignments, allowing the development of 1703 ISMs. From these, a subset of 105 ISMs were synthesized and validated with a 51% amplification success rate in 32 lentil genotypes. Of these ISMs, 40(74%) were polymorphic and generated 2–11 alleles per locus in a genetically diverse panel of 32 lentil genotypes including wild species.This set of polymorphic ISMs along with their functional annotation data will be useful in lentil breeding.

Laboratory-and Field-Phenotyping for Drought Stress Tolerance and Diversity Study in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Drought susceptibility and low genetic variability are the major constraints of lentil(Lens culinaris Medik.)production worldwide.Development of an efficient pre-field drought phenotyping technique and identification of diversified drought tolerant lentil genotype(s)are therefore vital and necessary.Two separate experiments were conducted using thirty diverse lentil genotypes to isolate drought tolerant genotype(s)as well as to assess their diversity.In both of the experiments,significant(p≤0.01)variation in genotype(G),treatment(T)and G X T was observed for most of the studied traits.In experiment I,genotypes were examined for drought tolerance at the seedlings stage under hydroponic conditions by assessing root and shoot traits.Among the 30 genotypes studied,BM-1247,BM-1227 and BM-502 were selected as highly tolerant to drought stress as they showed maximum seedling survivability and minimum reduction in growth parameters under drought stress.In experiment II,the genotypes were assayed for diversity and drought stress tolerance based on morphological traits grown under field condition.Drought stress caused a substantial reduction in yield attributing traits,however,the genotypes BM-1247,BM-981,BM-1227 and BM-502 were categorized as drought tolerant genotypes with less than 20%yield reduction.The field screening result of drought stress tolerance was coincided well with the results of laboratory screening.Genetic divergence study reflected the presence of considerable diversity among the genotypes.Considering laboratory and field screening results,the genotypes,BM-1247,BM-1227,BM-981 and BM-502 were selected as the best drought tolerant genotypes.This information can be exploited for further breeding in developing drought tolerance in lentil.

Effect of Irrigation with Sea Water on Germination and Growth of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic)

In an attempt to evaluate the efficiency of sea water irrigation on plant growth and germination, five cultivars of lentil ILL4400, 5582, 5845, 5883 and 8006 were grown in sandy soil and irrigated with sea water of different salinity levels (Ec 0.9-12). Percent of germination, seedlings lengths and mean germination time were recorded. The results showed that all cultivars were able to germinate at different salinity levels. The germination percent was increased. The percent of seed germination was significantly higher in cultivars ILL8006 and ILL5883. Sea water of salinities Ec3 and Ec6 was ideal for irrigation without negative impacts on lentil germination and growth. At higher salinity (Ec12) the germination rate was reduced and the mean germination time was greater than that in lentil seeds irrigated with sea water of Ec 0.9-9.

Gene Action Studies in the Inheritance of Economic Traits in Diallel Cross of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik)

The present study was conducted in 4 × 4 half diallel cross fashion using the genotypes named as NL-2002, NL-2006, Punjab Masoor-2009 and Markaz-2009 for the evaluation of gene action in the inheritance of economic traits of lentil by following the Griffing (1956) Method of analysis. Minirap 13.1 Copyright© 2000, Minitab inc. Method II, Model I was used for the analysis and gene action was computed by variance component analysis using Mixed Model with GLM (general linear model) procedure. The F1 direct crosses along with the parental genotypes were then evaluated by framing the experiment in RCBD in 3 replications. The data were recorded for the characters which are under the study are, plant height (cm), number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, number of seed per pod, seed yield per plant, biomass (gram), 100 seeds weight (gram), harvest index (%), yield per plant. The simple ANOVA for all the characters revealed that difference among genotypes was highly significant. As significant differences were present between the genotypes, it permitted subsequent analysis of the data. The Combining Ability (CA) results showed that value of variance for GCA (General Combining Ability) was significantly higher than that of those of the values of variance of SCA (Specific Combining Ability). Hence current results clearly depicted the role of additive type of gene action governing the characters under study.

Comparison of the effect of cinnamon and lentil extract on learning,short-term memory and pain tolerance in rats

Background:Learning,memory disorders,and pain,especially Alzheimer’s,are some of the factors that affect today’s societies and disrupt their lives.On the other hand,the type of diet with hot and cold temperament is associated with memory and pain;therefore,inthis study,the effect of Cinnamon extract(hot temperament)and Lentil extract(cold temperament)on pain and memory was investigated.Methods:Animals were randomly divided into three groups including the control group,a group that received Cinnamon extract,and rats who were treated with lentil extract at a dose of 260 intraperitoneally.Then,24 hours after the last injection,pain and memory tests were performed for each.Results:The results of the Passive avoidance test(PAT)(shuttle box)showed that the latency time in going to the dark chamber in the group that received Lentils compared to cinnamon was significantly reduced(P<0.01).The retention time of animals in the dark chamber was significantly increased in the group that received Lentil extract in comparison with the Cinnamon group(P<0.001).The number of visits to the dark compartment significantly decreased in the group that received Cinnamon extract compared to the Lentil group(P<0.01).Pain test results also showed that the Lentil group had significantly less pain tolerance than the Cinnamon group(P<0.001).Conclusion:In this study,Cinnamon compared to Lentil increased memory and pain tolerance;therefore,it can be said that hot and cold temperament probably affects memory and learning as well as the level of pain tolerance.

Carbon Isotope Discrimination is not Correlated with Transpiration Efficiency in Three Cool-Season Grain Legumes(Pulses)

The carbon isotope discrimination （δ^13C） of leaves has been shown to be correlated with the transpiration efficiency of leaves in a wide range of species. This has led to δ^13C being used in breeding programs to select for improved transpiration efficiency. The correlation between δ^13C and transpiration efficiency was determined under well-watered conditions during the vegetative phase in six genotypes of lentil （Lens culinaris Medikus）, six genotypes of chickpea （Cicerarietinum L.） and 10 cultivars of narrow-leafed lupin （Lupinus angustifolius L.）. Biomass （dry matter） accumulation and water use （transpiration） varied among the genotypes in all three species and transpiration efficiency was 40% to 75% higher in the most efficient compared with the least efficient genotypes. However, δ^13C and transpiration efficiency were not significantly correlated in any of the species. This suggests that the δ^13C technique cannot be used in selection for transpiration efficiency in the three grain legumes （pulses） studied.

Combined application of Artificial Neural Networks and life cycle assessment in lentil farming in Iran

In this study,an Artificial Neural Network(ANN)was applied to model yield and environmental emissions from lentil cultivation in Esfahan province of Iran.Data was gathered from lentil farmers using face to face questionnaire method during 2014–2015 cropping season.Life cycle assessment(LCA)was applied to investigate the environmental impact categories associated with lentil production.Based on the results,total energy input,energy output to input ratio and energy productivity were determined to be 32,970.10 MJ ha
1,0.902 and 0.06 kg MJ
1,respectively.The greatest amount of energy consumption was attributed to chemical fertilizer(42.76%).Environmental analysis indicated that the acidification potential was higher than other environmental impact categories in lentil production system.Also results showed that the production of agricultural machinery was the main hotspot in abiotic depletion,eutrophication,global warming,human toxicity,fresh water aquatic ecotoxicity,marine aquatic ecotoxicity and terrestrial ecotoxicity impact categories,while direct emissions associated with lentil cultivation was the main hotspot in acidification potential and photochemical oxidation potential.In addition,diesel fuel was the main hotspot only in ozone layer depletion.The ANN model with 9-10-6-11 structure was identified as the most appropriate network for predicting yield and related environmental impact categories of lentil cultivation.Overall,the results of sensitivity analysis revealed that farmyard manure had the greatest effect on the most of the environmental impacts,while machinery was the most affecting parameter on the yield of the crop.

Effect of arsenic contaminated irrigation water on Lens culinaris L.and toxicity assessment using lux marked biosensor

Contamination of irrigation water represents a major constraint to Bangladesh agriculture,resulting in elevated levels in the terrestrial systems.Lux bacterial biosensor technology has previously been used to measure the toxicity of metals in various environmental matrices.While arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have their most significant effect on phosphorus uptake,but showed alleviated metal toxicity to the host plant.The study examined the effects of arsenic and inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus,Glomus mosseae,on lentil （Lens culinaris L.cv.Titore）.Plants were grown with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum for 9 weeks in a sand and terra-green mixture （50：50,V/V） and watered with five levels of arsenic （0,1,2,5,10 mg As/L arsenate）.The results showed that arsenic addition above 1 mg/L significantly reduced percentage of mycorrhizal root infection.On further analysis a close relationship was established with the vegetative and reproductive properties of lentil （L.culinaris） plants compared to the percentage bioluminescence of the soil leachate.However,arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation reduced arsenic concentration in roots and shoots.Higher concentrations of arsenic （5,10 mg As/L arsenate） reduced the mycorrhizal efficiency to increase phosphorus content and nitrogen fixation.Therefore,this study showed that increased concentration of arsenic in irrigation water had direct implications to the lentil （L.culinaris） plants overall performance.Moreover the use of bioassay demonstrated that mycorrhiza and clay particle reduced arsenic bioavailability in soil.

Genetic Diversity in ex-situ Conserved Lens culinaris for Botanical Descriptors, Biochemical and Molecular Markers and Identification of Landraces from Indigenous Genetic Resources of Pakistan

Lentil, one of the oldest legumes was investigated for diversity based on botanical descriptors, total seed proteins, isozymes and random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） markers. About one fourth of accessions were heterogeneous for botanical descriptors and a seed protein profile. The germplasm collected from the province of Baluchiatan revealed the prevalence of indigenous landraces as high diversity was observed for all of the techniques. Diversity explored through various techniques revealed validity irrespective of the sample size or geographic pattem, RAPD being the best choice for investigating both inter- and intra-acceaaion variation in lentil. Although all of the techniques were able to resolve genetic diversity in lentil, isozymea and seed proteins gave low levels of genetic diversity, suggesting that more investigation into isozymea of specific proteins is required. RAPD is the best option for determining inter- and intra-acceaaion variation, and will be required to extend germplaama and primers to continue the study of botanical descriptors.

Lentil straw(Lens culinaris): An alternative and nutritious feed resource for kids

The scarcity of feed resources with the continuously increasing cost of usual animal feeds urgently demands searching some alternate feeds for ruminants. In this study, Barberi male kids were divided into4 groups of 5 kids(body weight 17.5 ± 1.8 kg) in each group, and ad libitum fed lentil straw(Lens culinaris;LS), LS based total mixed ration(LSTMR), urea ammoniated LS(ALS) or ALS based total mixed ration(ALSTMR) for a period of 28 days. Results showed LS was a superior feed(CP, 9.2%) for kids, but having quite high crude fibre(CF; 39.6%) and Ca:P ratio(10:1). Urea ammoniation of LS was helpful for increasing the digestible crude protein(DCP)(P < 0.01), nitrogen-free extract(NFE) and total digestible nutrients(TDN) with reduction of CF content. Urea mmoniation also improved the digestibility of neutral and acid detergent fibre(P < 0.01), but its effect on CP digestibility was negative(P < 0.05). Dry matter(DM), DCP and TDN intakes(per kg W0.75) were also improved(P < 0.01) in the kids fed ALS. Negative growth rate and nitrogen(N) balance(-33.8 and -1.4 g/day, respectively) in kids fed LS became positive(46.9 and 2.0 g/day, respectively) when ALS was used in the diets of kids. Feeding of ALS also increased(P < 0.01) the total N and ammonia N content of strained rumen liquor(SRL). Use of straw(LS or ALS) in TMR increased the digestibility of DM, organic matter and NFE(P < 0.01), intake of energy, as well as total volatile fatty acids concentration(P < 0.01) in the SRL. The present study suggested that optimum performance of kids may be achieved using either ALS alone or TMR with LS or ALS.