Nutritional and chemical profiling of UK-grown potato bean (Apios americana Medik) reveal its potential for diet biodiversification and revalorisation

Apios americana Medik, a native American plant has potential as a commercially viable Northern European-grown motcrop, mainly due to its resistance to extreme climate and nutritional quality. Analysis of A. americana sourced from two UK sites; South (51.4690 degrees N, 1.1150 degrees W) and North (55.9661 degrees N, 3.2063 degrees W) showed that the tubers were a complete source of amino acids (UPLC-TUV analysis), were rich in protein (15.0 +/- 0.0160 and 17.3 +/- 0.0779%; Vario Max CN analysis), fibre (total non-starch polysaccharides, 10.4 +/- 0.570 and 10.6 +/- 0.280%; GC analysis) and micronutrients (calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, molybdenum, potassium and phosphorus; ICP-MS analysis). Apios americana tubers were also rich in bioactive phytochemicals. From the 156 plant metabolites measured using LC-MS/MS analysis, genistein was the major phytophenol in both the Southern- and Northern UK tubers (259 +/- 12.2 mg Kg(-1) and 356 +/- 29.9 mg Kg(-1) respectively); the peel having similar phytochemical profiles. The protein and fibre content of the leaves (17.3 +/- 0.0434% and 11.7 0.0445%) and rhizomes (18.4 +/- 0.0152% and 13.5 +/- 0.590%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the tubers. The leaves were also a good source of anthocyanins; delphinidin and cyanidin (840 +/- 137 and 3934 +/- 176 mg Kg(-1) respectively). Cultivation of A. americana as a high-protein staple-crop has enormous potential in Northern European countries for human nutrition, diet diversification, and use in livestock diets.

Automated summary

Apios americana, a North American plant, shows potential as a commercially viable crop in Northern Europe due to its resistance to extreme climate and high nutritional quality. Analysis of A. americana tubers from Southern and Northern UK sites revealed they are a complete source of amino acids, rich in protein, fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals. Additionally, leaves and rhizomes were found to have higher protein and fiber content than tubers, with leaves also being a good source of anthocyanins. Cultivation of A. americana has great potential for human nutrition, diet diversification, and livestock diets in Northern European countries.