Characterization of saponin production in developing seeds of Vicia faba and Pisum sativum

Julie Marais (1) , Vanessa Vernoud (1) , Christine Le Signor (1) , Marie-Aleth Lacaille-Dubois (2, 3) , Richard Thompson (1)

1 Agroécologie [Dijon]
2 FDE - Fonctions et dysfonctions épithéliales - UFC (EA 4267)
3 UFR de pharmacie (Université de Bourgogne)

Legume seeds are increasingly in demand as an inexpensive source of protein for incorporation in foodstuffs. However, protein fractions prepared from pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba) seeds contain significant quantities of saponins, which may confer an undesired bitter flavor on the final food product. Saponins have also been implicated in abiotic and biotic stress responses, hence a further interest in studying their accumulation and genetic control in these species. We have identified pea genes putatively involved in saponin biosynthesis in developing pea seeds, and optimized an extraction method for use in following saponin accumulation and distribution in seeds of pea and faba bean. Acknowledgement. This project is supported by the FUI (Fonds Unique Interministériel) AAP no. 18 LEG’UP.

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Julie Marais, Vanessa Vernoud, Christine Le Signor, Marie-Aleth Lacaille-Dubois, Richard Thompson. Characterization of saponin production in developing seeds of Vicia faba and Pisum sativum. 2. International Legume Society Conference - Legumes for a Sustainable World, Legume Society., Oct 2016, Lisbone, Portugal. 358 p. ⟨hal-01604091⟩