An international team of researchers from Denmark, Finland, Germany, the
UK, and Canada led by the Universities of Helsinki and Copenhagen as
well as Luke Natural Resources Institute Finland has identified the gene
responsible for the production of harmful compounds in protein-rich faba
beans.

Faba beans are an excellent protein source, but people in most regions
where malaria is endemic and who carry a certain mutation cannot eat the
beans. The researchers have now identified the gene responsible for the
production of vicine and convicine, which are harmful to these people.

The scientists identified the VC1genethat is responsible for
vicine-convicine content. They have also identified the specific
mutation within this gene that causes the reduction in synthesis. They
found that all faba bean varieties with a low vicine-convicine content
descended from a single accession found in a genebank. It had two
nucleotides inserted within the VC1 gene. This insertion disrupts VC1
function and is the only known genetic source of low vicine and
convicine content. This research provides the complete description of
the biosynthetic pathway of vicine and convicine, and ultimately paves
the way for breeding, production, and commercial use of faba bean
varieties totally free from these anti-nutritional compounds.

Potential of faba beans, rich in protein, has been unlocked | University
of Helsinki
[www2.helsinki.fi]