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Potato bean in running to be next superfood

The protein-rich potato bean could be grown in the UK.

A plant native to America could be grown in the UK, bringing huge benefits for a balanced, sustainable diet, new research has found.

Potato bean -聽Apios Americana聽鈥 is commonly found in Florida, Texas and Colorado and was once a staple foraged food source.

Researchers from 伊人直播, the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) investigated whether the plant - which is high in protein 鈥 could be used as part of a healthier and biodiverse diet while also potentially helping the environment by being a dietary source of protein.

Dr Madalina Neacsu, from the Rowett Institute, said: 鈥淲e studied the聽Apios Americana聽鈥 or potato bean 鈥 as part of our research into novel and sustainable sources of protein and fibre in a bid to find alternatives and to diversify our dietary choices.

鈥淭he majority of people鈥檚 protein intake in the UK currently comes from animal sources. However, if we could diversify our recommended dietary intake of protein from plant-based sources, such as the potato bean, this could contribute towards meeting climate targets as well as improving health.

鈥淭he potato bean has shown previously that it can adapt to a wide geographical range and has a high tolerance to a wide range of conditions, so it is able to grow in environments away from America.鈥

Dr Robin Walker, from 伊人直播, said: 鈥淭here seems to be definite potential in the implementation of new crops and foods being grown here in the UK that could help people maintain a more balanced diet.

鈥淔urther trials are now needed to gain more insight into the best way to grow and utilise Apios on a broader scale, taking into account its perennial growth habit and the potential to use its foliage and seeds as well as the tubers.鈥

, which was published in聽Journal of Food Composition and Analysis,聽was funded by the Scottish Government鈥檚 Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS).


Posted by 伊人直播 on 15/02/2021

Tags: Food and Drink, Crop, Soil and crops
Categories: 伊人直播 and Campuses | Research