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What Are the Sustainable Features of Soybean Leaves as a By-Product?

Author

Listed:
  • Han-Na Chu

    (Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea)

  • Eun-Suk Jung

    (Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea)

  • Mi-Kyung Seo

    (Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea)

  • Jae-Sin Lee

    (Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea)

  • Haeng-Ran Kim

    (Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Service, Naju 58213, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Soybean leaves, by-products of soybeans, are functional food supplements for overall health, displaying nutritional superiority and various functionalities; they are widely used for both consumption and as functional materials. This study analyzed the physiological activity (efficacy) of 47 soybean leaves harvested in 2019 and 2020. Differences based on cultivation year (2 years), seed coat color (three varieties), and the interaction of soybean cultivation year × seed coat color were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). DPPH radical scavenging activity varied with seed coat color, while uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and nitric oxide (NO) exhibited significant differences by cultivation year. Items that displayed greater increases in 2020 than in 2019 among the six measures of physiological activity (efficacy) were estrogen receptor alpha, UCP-1, and NO production inhibitory activity, whereas ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities as well as estrogen activity declined. ANOVA confirmed significant differences in DPPH radical scavenging activity according to seed coat color as well as in UCP-1 and NO production inhibitory activity by cultivation year. Annual comparisons in the correlations of efficacy with ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities exhibited strong correlations at 2 years, despite climatic variation, thus potentially being classifiable as analysis items with high cultivation stability. However, other efficacies displayed vast differences in correlation between years. Climate change may affect the added value of agricultural products by reducing the production of by-product soybean leaves and changing their bioactive properties, so various countermeasures are needed. This annual variation may largely be attributed to climatic variations owing to open field cultivation. Geomjeong Kong-5 (black color), B16 Neoljeokseoritae (black color), Sorok Kong (yellow color), and Gangwonyanggu-1994-3709 (green–black color) were selected as superior soybean leaf sources with minimal annual variation and high stability against cultivation environments. Further research is needed to ensure that the leaves of the soybean can be used as a sustainable resource for the agricultural industry. The data from this study can be used as a basis for breeding and cultivating soybean leaves while maintaining high efficacy, regardless of the instability of the growing environment due to climatic variations.

Suggested Citation

  • Han-Na Chu & Eun-Suk Jung & Mi-Kyung Seo & Jae-Sin Lee & Haeng-Ran Kim, 2024. "What Are the Sustainable Features of Soybean Leaves as a By-Product?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-19, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:24:p:10823-:d:1540775
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