Advancement in Genomics and Molecular Marker Technologies for Breeding of Faba Bean with Low Vicine-convicine Content: A Review

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), is a popular legume crop due to its high protein content (22-38.2%), dietary fibre (12%), medicinal and nutritional values and environmental benefits. It is considered as an excellent source of protein, particularly in developing countries where people cannot afford to buy meat. It also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic effects. But the presence of some key anti-nutritional factors, such as vicine and convicine, tannins, phytic acid etc. restricts the potential utilization of this crop as food and feed. Vicine and convicine are the thermostable, glucosidic aminopyrimidine derivatives that accumulate in the cotyledons of faba bean during seed development and maturity and cause “Favism” or haemolytic anaemia upon consumption by individuals having deficiency of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme. As globally millions of people are genetically predisposed to such condition, it is highly desirable to eliminate these compounds from faba bean without compromising yield and other quality characteristics. In this review, we have highlighted the recent advancement in the field of genomics and molecular marker technologies for an easy and efficient selection of faba bean with low vicine and convicine content and the strategies to deploy these efficient tools in the future molecular breeding programs in faba bean.
