The importance of legumes Flashcards
How many species are there in the Fabacea family? How does this family rank in importance? What common plants make up this species?
2nd most important family with >16 000 species, commonly referred to as legumes
What are the characteristics of the Fabacea fruit?
They are legumes: a single carpel ovary split along two opposite margins
What is the term used to describe a dry legume seed consumed for food? When was it celebrated by the UN as the “Year of the ____”?
A pulse. 2016 was the year of the pulse
What makes cultivation of pulses for human consumption so appealing?
High protein (highest in food plants) and oil content, easy to harvest, easy to store, ability to grow in nitrogen poor soil
How are legumes beneficial to the nitrogen cycle in soils?
The have Rhizobium bacteria which convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia (usable by plants)
How are legumes associated with Rhizobium bacteria?
They secrete chemicals to stimulate the bacteria which are found in the plant’s root nodules. A symbiotic relationship which nourishes the bacteria and provides nitrogen for the plant
How can increasing cultivation of pulses improve efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices (include specific percentages if possible)?
Rotating pulses in with other crops can replenish soil nitrogen without the need for ammonia-based industrial fertilizer (1.5% of global energy consumption, >30% of greenhouse gas)
How can legume consumption be a predictor of long term health?
Longer survival in the elderly has been correlated with elevated legume consumption
What is the protein content of an average bean? Which species is most widely consumed in the US? What are some other species? Where can they be grown?
16-25% protein, the kidney bean is most consumed in US. Other beans include green beans, navy, lima, pinto, black, etc. Grows worldwide
Where can peas be grown best? How does Canada rank among bean exporters? What about lentils and peas? What percentage of the world’s lentils and peas does Canada produce?
Grown best in temperate climates. Canada is the #1 exporter of peas and lentils, top 5 exporter of beans. Canada has 32% of world pea and 38.5% of world lentil production
What are some characteristics of the soy bean (protein content, oil content, origin, importance)?
Most important legume crop. Highest protein content (34%) and oil content (17%) of any legume. Originated in NE China
What percentage of the world’s oil consumption is derived from soy beans? What is the scientific name of this species?
Glycine max, accounts for 27% of world’s oil consumption
Soy bean is prominant in the diets of which 3 main countries?
- China
- Japan
- Korea
What prevents soy beans from being eaten raw? How can this be circumvented?
Trypsin inhibitors which prevent protein digestion. These are inactivated by heat (cooking)
What is soy commonly used for in western foods? What hormone derivative does it contain?
Used as a dairy or protein replacement (tofu, soy milk, etc.). Contains phytoestrogens
What soy bean component is commonly added to processed foods as an emulsifier?
Soy lecithin, a fatty substance
What 4 countries account for 85% of the world’s soy production? How is the vast majority of this used?
- US
- Brazil
- Argentina
- China
Most is crushed for oil and meal
How many times more expansive is soy cultivation now than it was in the 1960s?
~10 times more
What does half of all soy produced in the US get used for?
Livestock feed
What is the scientific name of the peanut? What makes this an unusual plant?
Arachis hypogea, the flowers curve down after fertilization and the ovary is pushed into the soil so that the fruit matures underground
What is the fat content of peanuts?
~45%
What pulse is notably easier to digest than the others (scientific and common name)? What is the protein content of this legume? Where is it commonly consumed and why?
The lentil (Lens culinaris) has ~25% protein and is a staple in India because of its high drought tolerance
What is the scientific name for the chickpea? What other common name is it known by? What are some regions in which it is commonly consumed?
Cicer arietum also known as a garbanzo bean is a staple in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, India, and Mexico
Why is nitrogen necessary for plant growth?
It facilitates amino acid synthesis
