Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in the human diet-Case reports and short reports

Aim: The ever-increasing growth in the size of the human population is causing a growing demand for animal protein. This demand has spurred an interest in cheaper, plant-derived proteins that have an equally rich protein composition as alternatives to proteins of animal origin. A long record of attempts to substitute proteins originating primarily from legumes, cereals, cassava, leaf proteins and whole plant lucerne proteins for animal proteins in the human diet exists. Lucerne Medicago (L.) is the most popular and widespread protein-yielding crop which is grown in cool-climate regions. Extracts and concentrates of lucerne contain, along with proteins, also many vitamins, nutritive substances and secondary metabolites. Due to valuable chemical constituents which show phytobiotic action on humans lucerne is used in folk medicine and phytotherapy. The health-promoting impact of a lucerne-derived protein extract in animals is well-known and well-documented. It is interesting therefore to describe the human body's response to protein supplementation of lucerne. Materials and methods: The literature in scientific journals and reports regarding the lucerne protein in human nutrition was reviewed. Results: A series of studies have demonstrated that a lucerne concentrate may be a dietary supplement that supports humans in combatting malnutrition, ischaemia, and various digestive tract disorders. The lucerne concentrate also increases the resistance of the immune system, improves the content of haemoglobin in the blood by supplying large amounts of iron and promotes a beneficial intestinal microbial population. The concentrate aids in the recovery from severe cancer-related disorders and supplements the treatment of certain diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria. Conclusions: This study presents a short review of the literature on the properties of lucerne and the secondary metabolites it contains and also on a protein concentrate produced from the lucerne juice. The case reports and short reports described in this review indicate that the lucerne protein concentrate can be used as a dietary supplement for improving the health and quality of human life.