Improving the nutritional values of yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae as an animal feed ingredient: a review

Yellow mealworm larvae(YML;Tenebrio molitor) are considered as a valuable insect species for animal feed due to their high nutritional values and ability to grow under different substrates and rearing conditions. Advances in the understanding of entomophagy and animal nutrition over the past decades have propelled research areas toward testing multiple aspects of YML to exploit them better as animal feed sources. This review aims to summarize various approaches that could be exploited to maximize the nutritional values of YML as an animal feed ingredient. In addition, YML has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial or bioactive agent to improve animal health and immune function in production animals. The dynamics of the nutritional profile of YML can be influenced by multiple factors and should be taken into account when attempting to optimize the nutrient contents of YML as an animal feed ingredient. Specifically, the use of novel land-based and aquatic feeding resources, probiotics, and the exploitation of larval gut microbiomes as novel strategies can assist to maximize the nutritional potential of YML. Selection of relevant feed supplies, optimization of ambient conditions, the introduction of novel genetic selection procedures, and implementation of effective post-harvest processing may be required in the future to commercialize mealworm production. Furthermore, the use of appropriate agricultural practices and technological improvements within the mealworm production sector should be aimed at achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. The issues highlighted in this review could pave the way for future approaches to improve the nutritional value of YML.

Effect of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Growth, Mineral Composition, and Nutritional Value of Wheat & Lentil Sprouts

Sprouts are ready-to-eat and are recognized worldwide as functional components of the human diet.Recent advances in innovative agricultural techniques could enable an increase in the production of healthy food.The use of light-emitting diode(LED)in indoor agricultural production could alter the biological feedback loop,increasing the functional benefits of plant foods such as wheat and lentil sprouts and promoting the bioavailability of nutrients.The effects of white(W),red(R),and blue(B)light were investigated on the growth parameters and nutritional value of wheat and lentil sprouts.In the laboratory,seeds were sown under three different LED treat-ments:white,red,and blue light,while normal incandescent light served as a control.Percentage seed germina-tion improved by 18.34%and 12.67%for wheat and 18.34%and 12.67%for lentil sprouts under LED treatments R and B,respectively.An increase in total soluble protein and sugar by 33.4%and 9.23%in wheat and by 31.5%and 5.87%in lentils was observed under the R LED treatment.Vitamin C concentrations in wheat and lentils were significantly increased by R LED compared to all other treatments.Other parameters,including potassium and sodium concentrations,were significantly increased under red and blue light compared to the control;white light,on the other hand,significantly decreased all these parameters.According to the experimental data,red and blue LED light could be beneficial in the production of functional wheat and lentil sprouts with high nutrient concentrations.

Effect of Biostimulants Based on Natural Products on the Growth and Nutritional Value of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are widely grown in Cameroon and play a key role in the fight against food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty. However, its cultivation encounters problems due to abiotic and biotic stresses, which leads to the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which cause significant damage to the environment and human health due to the presence of synthetics residues in the seeds, pods and in the leaves that are eaten. Promoting the use of natural products is becoming a necessity for organic and eco-responsible agriculture that limits contamination problems and improves people’s purchasing power. This study aims to assess the effect of biostimulants based on natural products on the growth and nutritional value of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Bean seedlings from white variety (MEX-142) and red variety (DOR-701) were treated every seven days in the field from their pre-emergence, emergence and growth to their maturation under a randomized block experimental design. Six treatments and three repetitions with the biostimulants based on natural products and controls were thus performed and the agromorphological parameters were measured. After 120 days, the contents of growth biomarkers and defense-related enzymes were evaluated in leaves, while the contents of macromolecules, minerals and antinutrients were evaluated in seeds. These biostimulants significantly increased (P P < 0.0001) of antinutrients including oxalates, phytates, tannins and saponins in seeds compared to controls (T+ and T−). Treatment with biostimulants, in particular BS4, improves the performance of bean plants in the field as well as the biofortification of seeds regardless of the variety.

Nutritional and Medicinal Values of the Three Most Used Plants in Chad: Abelmoschus esculentus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Corchorus olitorius L.

This review explores the nutritional and health benefits of three vegetable plants in Chad: Abelmoschus esculentus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Corchorus olitorius L. These plants are widely consumed by Chadian population, but few research studies have focused on their nutritional and health benefits. The aim is to stimulate research, investment, and in-depth studies on these plants to encourage their use and transformation in Chad. Abelmoschus esculentus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Corchorus olitorius L. are Malvaceae species with medicinal properties and traditional use in Chad. They contain essential amino acids and have antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic activities. Their extract has hypoglycemic potential as a preventative or adjunct therapy for pre-diabetes or diabetes. Hibiscus sabdariffa is rich in essential vitamins, including vitamin A, which is beneficial for eyes, anti-aging, and sight. Its vitamin C helps fight free radicals and ensures good resistance to infections. Corchorus olitorius L. has a nutritional composition ranging from 1.2 to 34.4 mg/100 g and is known for its mucilaginous seeds, young tops and leaves, and silky hair. These plants have potential medicinal applications in antidiabetic, anti-gastritis, and prebiotic fields, and play a significant role in neural development and health. Promoting their use in Chad requires conservation programs, public policies, and local population planting. Future research should focus on their nutritional and medicinal properties, targeting underutilized species to address micronutrient deficiencies. Enhancing bioconservative properties and communication of these plants’ virtues are crucial for their optimal availability and protection.

Nutritional values,bioactive compounds and health benefits of purslane(Portulaca oleracea L.):a comprehensive review

Portulaca oleracea L.,commonly known as purslane,is a worldwide weed species belonging to the family Portulacaceae and has been known as“Global Panacea”.As one of the most widely consumed green vegetables and medicinal plants around the world,it has recently been re-evaluated as a potential“new crop”due to the properties that differentiate it as one of the best vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acid(α-linolenic acid),as well as a variety of nutrients and phytochemicals.Accordingly,emerging research has found that purslane exhibits health-promoting properties like anti-inflammatory,anti-hyperglycemic,antioxidant,neuroprotective,and immunomodulatory.These findings suggest that this species possesses a potential using as a dietary supplement beyond potherb and traditional medicine.This review systematically summarizes the up-to-date research carried out on purslane,including the nutritional compositions,bioactive compounds,and health benefits it exerts as well as limitations,challenges,and future directions of research.Finally,we hope that this review would provide purslane with a comprehensive reference and future scope as functional and health-promoting food for disease prevention and treatment.

Actuality and underlying mechanisms of systemic immuneinflammation index and geriatric nutritional risk index prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma

This editorial contains comments on the article“Correlation between preoperative systemic immune inflammation index,nutritional risk index,and prognosis of radical resection of liver cancer”in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.It pointed out the actuality and importance of the article and focused primarily on the underlying mechanisms making the systemic immuneinflammation index(SII)and geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI)prediction features valuable.There are few publications on both SII and GNRI together in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and patient prognosis after radical surgery.Neutrophils release cytokines,chemokines,and enzymes,degrade extracellular matrix,reduce cell adhesion,and create conditions for tumor cell invasion.Neutrophils promote the adhesion of tumor cells to endothelial cells,through physical anchoring.That results in the migration of tumor cells.Pro-angiogenic factors from platelets enhance tumor angiogenesis to meet tumor cell supply needs.Platelets can form a protective film on the surface of tumor cells.This allows avoiding blood flow damage as well as immune system attack.It also induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells that is critical for invasiveness.High SII is also associated with macro-and microvascular invasion and increased numbers of circulating tumor cells.A high GNRI was associated with significantly better progression-free and overall survival.HCC patients are a very special population that requires increased attention.SII and GNRI have significant survival prediction value in both palliative treatment and radical surgery settings.The underlying mechanisms of their possible predictive properties lie in the field of essential cancer features.Those features provide tumor nutrition,growth,and distribution throughout the body,such as vascular invasion.On the other hand,they are tied to the possibility of patients to resist tumor progression and development of complications in both postoperative and cancer-related settings.The article is of considerable interest.It would be helpful to continue the study follow-up to 2 years and longer.External validation of the data is needed.

Prognostic impact of inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is usually associated with a poor prognosis.Surgery is the main curative treatment but pancreatic operations are aggressive and new tools that help clinicians to predict surgical and prognostic outcomes are necessary.Lu et al recently published a retrospective,single centre cohort study evaluating the impact of seven nutritional and inflammatory markers in pancreatic cancer surgical patients:The albumin-to-globulin ratio,prognostic nutritional index(PNI),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),nutritional risk index,and the geriatric nutritional risk index.A significant correlation was found between the PNI,SII,NLR,and PLR and a hospital discharge of less than 15 days.In a univariable analysis,PNI,SII,NLR and PLR were significantly related to recurrence-free survival and,in a multivariable analysis PNI was associated with overall survival.Various meta-analyses corroborate the results in terms of prognosis but individual studies are discordant on their usefulness.Besides,the cut-off values for these markers vary significantly between studies and there are no clinical trials comparing them to identify the most relevant ones.These are limitations when implementing nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers into clinical practice and further studies are needed in order to answer these questions.

Improving postoperative outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer:Inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers

This editorial assesses the prognostic value of preoperative inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers in patients undergoing surgical resection for pancreatic cancer.Lu et al evaluated the ability of seven biomarkers to predict postoperative recovery and long-term outcomes.These biomarkers were albumin-to-globulin ratio,prognostic nutritional index(PNI),systemic immune-inflammation index,neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio,nutritional risk index,and geriatric nutritional risk index.The PNI was found to be a strong predictor of both overall and recurrence-free survival,underscoring its clinical relevance in managing patients with pancreatic cancer.

Nutritional Value and Application of Broad Bean Nutrition Flour as a Combination of Staple Food

This paper introduced the definition and importance of combination of sta-ple food. With broad bean nutrition flour as a sample, the preparation of the combi-nation of staple food was also described. In addition, the main nutritional value of broad bean nutrition flour was introduced. Compared with those of other single flours, the nutritional value of broad bean nutrition flour was improved. Moreover, the nutrients in the broad bean nutrition flour would not be destroyed during the processing and preparation of staple food, and the processed steamed bread and raw noodle are more characteristic. The application value and prospects of broad bean nutrition flour, as a combination of staple food, were further discussed.

Nutritional Value and Planting Techniques of Several Wild Vegetables in Composite

The nutritional components and utilization value of such 6 wild vegetables as Gynura divaricata, Kalimeris indica, Artemisia argyi H. Lev. ＆ Vaniot, Artemisia selengensis, Lysimachia clethroides and Taraxacum mongolicum were introduced, so as to promote the development and utilization of wild vegetable resources. The culture management of these 6 wild vegetables was also introduced, so as to provide reference for culture of wild vegetables.

基于Valued ERGMs模型的核心技术网络成长机制研究——以量子计算领域为例

对核心技术网络及其成长机制的研究有助于梳理核心技术之间的依赖和促进关系,为研究核心技术演化提供新的理论视角和方法。以技术演化相关理论为基础,归纳核心技术网络成长的影响因素,基于量子计算领域专利数据,识别以技术概念和技术关系为基础的量子计算领域核心技术网络,并基于Valued ERGMs模型构建核心技术网络成长机制模型。结果表明,技术要素中心性、专利技术研发能力、与TRIZ进化法则匹配程度以及技术要素同配性对核心技术网络成长具有正向促进作用;在技术路径方面,核心技术网络成长受到技术要素路径依赖性和技术突破的双重影响。最后,根据量子计算领域核心技术网络成长机制的实证研究结果,从技术研发层面、企业层面、政府层面为相关领域技术发展提出策略建议。

Effect of selected fungi on the reduction of gossypol levels and nutritional value during solid substrate fermentation of cottonseed meal

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of six individual strains of fungi on the reduction of gossypol levels and nutritional value during solid substrate fen＇aentation of cottonseed meal （CSM）. Six groups of disinfected CSM substrate were incubated for 48 h after inoculation with either of the fungi C. capsuligena ZD- 1, C. tropicalis ZD-3, S. cerevisae ZD-5, A. terricola ZD-6, A. oryzae ZD-7, or A. niger ZD-8. One not inoculated group （substrate） was used as a control. Levels of initial and final free gossypol （FG）, crude protein （CP）, amino acids （AA） and in vitro digestibility were assayed. The experiment was done in triplicate. The experimental results indicated that microbial fermentation could greatly decrease （P〈0.05） FG levels in CSM. The detoxification efficiency differed between the species of microorganisms applied. From the perspective of reducing CSM potential toxicity, C. tropicalis ZD-3 was most successful followed by S. cerevisae ZD-5 and A. niger ZD-8. They could reduce FG levels of CSM to 29.8, 63.07 and 81.50 mg/kg based on DM （dry matter）, respectively, and their detoxification rates were 94.57%, 88.51% and 85.16%, respectively. If crude protein, amino acids content and their in vitro digestibility were also taken into account, Aniger ZD-8 may be the best choice. The CP content of CSM substrate fermented by C. tropicalis ZD-3 and A. niger ZD-8 were improved by 10.76% and 22.24%; the TAA （total amino acids） contents were increased by 7.06% and 11.46%, and the EAA （essential amino acids） were raised by 7.77% and 12.64%, respectively. Especially, the levels of methionine, lysine and threonine were improved greatly （P〈0.05）. The in vitro CP digestibility of CSM fermented by C. tropicalis ZD-3 and A. niger ZD-8 was improved by 13.42% and 18.22%, the TAA were increased by 17.75% and 22.88%, and the EAA by 16.61% and 21.01%, respectively. In addition, the in vitro digestibility of methionine, lysine and threonine was also improved greatly （P〈0.05）.

Solid state fermentation of rapeseed cake with Aspergillus niger for degrading glucosinolates and upgrading nutritional value

Background： Rapeseed cake is a good source of protein for animal feed but its utilization is limited due to the presence of anti-nutritional substances, such as glucosinolates （GIs）, phytic acid, tannins etc. In the present study, a solid state fermentation （SSF） using Aspergillus niger was carried out with the purpose of degrading glucosinolates and improving the nutritional quality of rapeseed cake （RSC）. The effects of medium composition and incubation conditions on the GIs content in fermented rapeseed cake （FRSC） were investigated, and chemical composition and amino acid in vitro digestibility of RSC substrate fermented under optimal conditions were determined. Results： After 72 h of incubation at 34℃, a 76.89% decrease in GIs of RSC was obtained in solid medium containing 70% RSC, 30% wheat bran at optimal moisture content 60% （w/w）. Compared to unfermented RSC, trichloroacetic acid soluble protein （TCA-SP）, crude protein and ether extract contents of the FRSC were increased （P〈 0.05） 103.71, 23.02 and 23.54%, respectively. As expected, the contents of NDF and phytic acid declined （P〈 0.05） by 9.12 and 44.60%, respectively. Total amino acids （TAA） and essential amino acids （EAA） contents as well as AA in vitro digestibility of FRSC were improved significantly （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the enzyme activity of endoglucanase, xylanase, acid protease and phytase were increased （P 〈 0.05） during SSF. Conclusions： Our results indicate that the solid state fermentation offers an effective approach to improving the quality of proteins sources such as rapeseed cake.

The Nutritional Value and Research Status of Oats

Oats is a kind of food which has all sorts of nutrition.This paper mainly discussed nutritional ingredients and function of health protection of oats,simply introduced the use of it's functional ingredients,for developing natural resources rationally and efficiently.Oats are very nourishing.The oats may reduce the cholesterol of the body and to reduce the blood glucose because of its rich protein,fat,soluble diet fiber and saponin.It was very significance to study the improving of the food flavor,utilizing all the parts of the oats,and processing the functional foods.

弹性退休制度下谁更愿意延迟退休?——基于Option Value模型的微观模拟

人口老龄化背景下延迟退休年龄、建立弹性退休制度是大势所趋。养老金激励是弹性退休制度的重要内容。建立期权价值模型和养老金给付及奖惩因子模型,基于中国家庭收入调查项目(CHIP2018)的数据,对不同特征人群的养老金峰值、期权价值、内部报酬率进行模拟。研究发现:养老金总财富随退休年龄“先增后减”,男性的峰值年龄早于女性;引入养老金“奖惩”机制有助于提高最优退休年龄,激励劳动者延迟退休;考虑闲暇偏好的异质性,男性参保者更倾向于早退休,而女性参保者特别是女性较高收入群体更愿意延迟退休;厌恶风险的参保者更有可能选择早退休。建议尽早建立弹性退休年龄政策体系,增加劳动者的选择权和制度灵活性;引入精算调节因子构建养老金奖惩机制,完善养老保险待遇计发办法。

Solid-state fermentation of corn-soybean meal mixed feed with Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium for degrading antinutritional factors and enhancing nutritional value

Background: Corn and soybean meal(SBM) are two of the most common feed ingredients used in pig feeds.However, a variety of antinutritional factors(ANFs) present in corn and SBM can interfere with the bioavailability of nutrients and have negative health effects on the pigs. In the present study, two-stage fermentation using Bacillus subtilis followed by Enterococcus faecium was carried out to degrade ANFs and improve the nutritional quality of corn and SBM mixed feed. Furthermore, the microbial composition and in vitro nutrient digestibility of inoculated mixed feed were determined and compared those of the uninoculated controls.Results: During the fermentation process, B. subtilis and lactic acid bacteria(LAB) were the main dominant bacteria in the solid-state fermented inoculated feed, and fermentation produced a large amount of lactic acid(170 mmo L/kg),which resulted in a lower pH(5.0 vs. 6.4) than the fermented uninoculated feed. The amounts of soybean antigenic proteins(β-conglycinin and glycinin) in mixed feed were significantly decreased after first-stage fermentation with B. subtilis. Inoculated mixed feed following two-stage fermentation contained greater concentratioin of crude protein(CP), ash and total phosphorus(P) compared to uninoculated feed, whereas the concentrations of neutral detergent fiber(NDF), hemicellulose and phytate P in fermendted inoculated feed declined(P < 0.05) by 38%, 53%, and 46%,respectively. Notably, the content of trichloroacetic acid soluble protein(TCA-SP), particularly that of small peptides and free amino acids(AA), increased 6.5 fold following two-stage fermentation. There was no difference in the total AA content between fermented inoculated and uninoculated feed. However, aromatic AAs(Phe and Tyr) and Lys in inoculated feed increased, and some polar AAs, including Arg, Asp, and Glu, decreased compared with the uninoculated feed. In vitro dry matter and CP digestibility of inoculated feed improved(P < 0.05) compared with the uninoculated feed.Conclusions: Our results suggest that two-stage fermentation using B. subtilis followed by E. faecium is an effective approach to improve the quality of corn-soybean meal mixed feed.

Low Light During Grain Filling Stage Deteriorates Rice Cooking Quality, but not Nutritional Value

To investigate the effect of low light （LL, 50% natural light） during grain filling （GF） stage on rice transamination, amino acid （AA） accumulation, nutritional value, and cooking quality in three different rice genotypes, transaminase activities and AA levels in grains during GF stage and the traits that significantly affected rice quality （physical appearance, cooking quality, and nutritional value） were analyzed. LL did not disturb transamination in rice grains during GF stage, as minimal impact was found on alanine and aspartate transaminase activities. Nevertheless, most AAs in caryopses, including lysine and threonine, increased in response to LL, except for sulfur-containing AAs. These results suggest that AA metabolism and accumulation in rice grains were rarely suppressed by LL during GF stage. Rice nutritional ingredients at harvest, such as major protein components including glutelin and most important essential amino acids （EAAs） including lysine and threonine, increased significantly in response to LL, whereas most protein and EAA ratios were rarely affected. However, LL markedly affected physical appearance of rice grains by reducing brown rice rate, milled rice rate, and 1000-grain weight and increasing the chalkiness rate. In addition, cooking qualities decreased in response to LL, while breakdown values and amylose levels decreased and setback values increased. We concluded that LL during GF stage decreased the cooking quality of rice, but could potentially improve the nutritional value of rice.

Biochemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Different Shell Color Strains of Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas

The shell color of Pacific oyster(Crassostrea gigas) is a desirable trait; but the nutritional studies on C. gigas with different shell colors have not been conducted. Through successive selective breeding, five shell color strains of black(B), purple(P), orange(O), golden(G) and white(W) C. gigas have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritional value of five shell color strains and one commercial population with a common color. The biochemical composition including moisture, total protein, glycogen, ash, total fat, fatty acids(FA), amino acids and minerals was detected. The results indicated that the protein(50.76%–56.57%) was the major component. The content of glycogen showed a significant difference between orange shell and golden shell strains, as well as between commercial population and golden shell strain. In addition, all shell color strains contained a large amount of essential amino acids(12.20–14.15 g(100 g)^(-1)), of them leucine(2.81–3.29 g(100 g)^(-1)) and lysine(2.79–3.28 g(100 g)^(-1)) were predominant. The oysters were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids(42.26%–45.24% of total fatty acid) with high levels of DHA(18.53%–21.16% of total fatty acid) and EPA(17.23%–18.68% of total fatty acid). Significant differences of mineral contents(Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu) were identified among the six populations. These results indicated that C. gigas with different shell colors presented rich nutritional value with high protein, glycogen, essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The biochemical composition obtained in this study is useful for selective breeding of C. gigas with different shell colors.

Prognostic value of preoperative prognostic nutritional index and its associations with systemic inflammatory response markers in patients with stage Ⅲ colon cancer

Background: The prognostic nutritional index(PNI) has been widely applied for predicting survival outcomes of patients with various malignant tumors. Although a low PNI predicts poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer after tumor resection, the prognostic value remains unknown in patients with stage Ⅲ colon cancer undergoing curative tumor resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of PNI in patients with stage III colon cancer.Methods: Medical records of 274 consecutive patients with stage Ⅲ colon cancer undergoing curative tumor resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and capecitabine between December 2007 and December2013 were reviewed. The optimal PNI cutoff value was determined using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis. The associations of PNI with systemic inflammatory response markers, including lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR), and C-reactive protein(CRP)level, and clinicopathologic characteristics were assessed using the Chi square or Fisher's exact test. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Disease-free survival(DFS) and overall survival(OS)stratified by PNI were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, and prognostic factors were identified by Cox regression analyses.Results: The preoperative PNI was positively correlated with LMR(r= 0.483, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with NLR(r =-0.441, P < 0.001), PLR(r =-0.607, P < 0.001), and CRP level(r =-0.333, P < 0.001). A low PNI(≤49.22)was significantly associated with short OS and DFS in patients with stage ⅢC colon cancer but not in patients with stage ⅢA/ⅢB colon cancer.In addition, patients with a low PNI achieved a longer OS and DFS after being treated with6-8 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy than did those with < 6 cycles. Multivariate analyses revealed that PNI was independently associated with DFS(hazard ratios 2.001; 95% confidence interval 1.157-3.462; P = 0.013).Conclusion: The present study identified preoperative PNI as a valuable predictor for survival outcomes in patients with stage Ⅲ colon cancer receiving curative tumor resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

The genome of Medicago polymorpha provides insights into its edibility and nutritional value as a vegetable and forage legume

Medicago polymorpha is a nutritious and palatable forage and vegetable plant that also fixes nitrogen.Here,we reveal the chromosome-scale genome sequence of M.polymorpha using an integrated approach including Illumina,PacBio and Hi-C technologies.We combined PacBio full-length RNA-seq,metabolomic analysis,structural anatomy analysis and related physiological indexes to elucidate the important agronomic traits of M.polymorpha for forage and vegetable usage.The assembled M.polymorpha genome consisted of 457.53Mb with a long scaffold N50 of 57.72Mb,and 92.92%(441.83Mb)of the assembly was assigned to seven pseudochromosomes.Comparative genomic analysis revealed that expansion and contraction of the photosynthesis and lignin biosynthetic gene families,respectively,led to enhancement of nutritious compounds and reduced lignin biosynthesis in M.polymorpha.In addition,we found that several positively selected nitrogen metabolism-related genes were responsible for crude protein biosynthesis.Notably,the metabolomic results revealed that a large number of flavonoids,vitamins,alkaloids,and terpenoids were enriched in M.polymorpha.These results imply that the decreased lignin content but relatively high nutrient content of M.polymorpha enhance its edibility and nutritional value as a forage and vegetable.Our genomic data provide a genetic basis that will accelerate functional genomic and breeding research on M.polymorpha as well as other Medicago and legume plants.