Mineral and phenolic concentrations of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] grown in semi-arid tropical India

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] is an important pulse crop grown in south, east and southeast Asia. Mungbean seed samples harvested from field trials conducted in two environments in Hyderabad, India were utilized to determine genetic variation in the concentrations of minerals Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Na, K and P and to determine the concentrations of phytic acid (PA) and phenolic compounds. Significant variations in Fe (35–87 mg/kg), Ca (1190–1580 mg/kg), Mg (970–1700 mg/kg), Zn (21–62 mg/kg), Cu (7.5–11.9 mg/kg), Mn (9.8–19.6 mg/kg), Se (0.21–0.91 mg/kg), K (8670–14,100 mg/kg) and P (2760–5170 mg/kg) were recorded in mungbean lines commonly grown in South Asia. The effect of the environment on the concentration of minerals in mungbean lines was observed. The Fe concentration of lines CN 9-5 and Harsha doubled when grown in soil with increased availability of Fe. The low PA concentration (2.6–3.8 g/kg) and the presence of phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid (1540–3400 μg/g) in mungbean may lead to increased bioavailability of micronutrients. Nutrient-rich mungbean should be included in diets to combat micronutrient malnutrition.