Genetic diversity of nutritionally important carotenoids in 94 pea and 121 chickpea accessions

Biofortification of staple crops via breeding is an attractive strategy for reducing human micronutrient deficiencies. The objective of this research was to examine the concentration of carotenoids in diverse pea and chickpea accessions grown in Saskatchewan (Canada) using high performance liquid chromatography. In pea accessions mean concentration of lutein was highest (11.2 mu g g(-1)) followed by beta-carotene (0.5 mu g g(-1)), zeaxanthin (0.3 mu g g(-1)), and violaxanthin (0.3 mu g g(-1)). Green cotyledon pea accessions were richer in beta-carotene and total carotenoids compared to yellow cotyledon accessions. In chickpea accessions mean concentration of lutein (8.2 mu g g(-1)) was highest followed by zeaxanthin (6.2 mu g g(-1)), beta-carotene (0.5 mu g g(-1)), beta-cryptoxanthin (0.1 mu g g(-1)), and violaxanthin (0.1 mu g g(-1)). Desi chickpea accessions had higher carotenoid concentration than kabuli accessions. This research identified pea and chickpea accessions that can be utilized in breeding for the improvement of carotenoid concentration through biofortification. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.