BACKGROUND: Root systems are key contributors to plant health, resilience, and, ultimately, yield of agricultural crops. To optimize plant performance, phenotyping trials are conducted to breed plants with diverse root traits. However, traditional analysis methods are often labour-intensive and invasive to the root system, therefore limiting high-throughput phenotyping. Spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) could help as a non-invasive and cost-efficient alternative to optical root analysis, potentially providing 2D or 3D spatio-temporal information on root development and activity. Although impedance measurements have been shown to be sensitive to root biomass, nutrient status, and diurnal activity, only few attempts have been made to employ tomographic algorithms to recover spatially resolved information on root systems. In this study, we aim to establish relationships between tomographic electrical polarization signatures and root traits of different fine root systems (maize, pinto bean, black bean, and soy bean) under hydroponic conditions.
RESULTS: Our results show that, with the use of an optimized data acquisition scheme, sEIT is capable of providing spatially resolved information on root biomass and root surface area for all investigated root systems. We found strong correlations between the total polarization strength and the root biomass ( R 2 = 0.82 ) and root surface area ( R 2 = 0.8 ). Our findings suggest that the captured polarization signature is dominated by cell-scale polarization processes. Additionally, we demonstrate that the resolution characteristics of the measurement scheme can have a significant impact on the tomographic reconstruction of root traits.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showcase that sEIT is a promising tool for the tomographic reconstruction of root traits in high-throughput root phenotyping trials and should be evaluated as a substitute for traditional, often time-consuming, root characterization methods.

Adulteration of high-value agricultural products is a critical issue worldwide for consumers and industries. Discrimination of the geographical origin can verify food authenticity by reducing risk and detecting adulteration. Between agricultural products, beans are a very important crop cultivated worldwide that provides food rich in iron and vitamins, especially for people in third-world countries. The aim of this study is the construction of a map of the locally characteristic isotopic fingerprint of giant beans, \"Fasolia Gigantes-Elefantes PGI\", a Protected Geographical Indication product cultivated in the region of Kastoria and Prespes, Western Macedonia, Greece, with the ultimate goal of the discrimination of beans from the two areas. In total, 160 samples were collected from different fields in the Prespes region and 120 samples from Kastoria during each cultivation period (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). The light element (C, N, and S) isotope ratios were measured using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), and the results obtained were analyzed using chemometric techniques, including a one-way ANOVA and Binomial logistic regression. The mean values from the one-way ANOVA were δ15NAIR = 1.875‱, δ13CV-PDB = -25.483‱, and δ34SV-CDT = 4.779‱ for Kastoria and δ15NAIR = 1.654‱, δ13CV-PDB = -25.928‱, and δ34SV-CDT = -0.174‱ for Prespes, and showed that stable isotope ratios of C and S were statistically different for the areas studied while the Binomial logistic regression analysis that followed correctly classified more than 78% of the samples.

Pulses are considered superfoods for the future world due to their properties, but they require processing to reduce antinutritional factors (ANFs) and increase bioactivity. In this study, bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was fermented under different conditions (addition of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL 2211 and/or Weissella paramesenteroides CRL 2182, temperature, time and dough yield) to improve its nutri-functional quality. Fermentation for 24 h at 37 °C with the mixed starter increased the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population, acidity, polyphenol content (TPC) and ANF removal more than spontaneous fermentation. Statistical and rep-PCR analysis showed that fermentation was mainly conducted by Lp. plantarum CRL 2211. Metabolic modeling revealed potential cross-feeding between Lp. plantarum and W. paramesenteroides, while the molecular docking and dynamic simulation of LAB tannases and proteinases involved in ANF removal revealed their chemical affinity to gallocatechin and trypsin inhibitors. Fermentation was better than soaking, germination and cooking for enhancing bean flour properties: it increased the free amino acids content by 50% by releasing glutamine, glutamic acid, arginine, leucine and lysine and modified TPC by increasing gallic acid and decreasing caffeic, ferulic and vanillic acids and quercetin-3-glucoside. The combination of experimental and simulation data may help us to understand fermentation processes and to design products with desirable features.

Legumes are widely appreciated for their abundant reserves of insoluble dietary fiber, which are characterized by their high fiber content and diverse bioactive compounds. Insoluble dietary fiber in leguminous crops is primarily localized in the structural cell walls and outer integument and exhibits strong hydrophilic properties that enable water absorption and volumetric expansion, resulting in increased food bulk and viscosity. This contributes to enhanced satiety and accelerated gastrointestinal transit. The benefits of legume insoluble dietary fiber extend to its notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, as well as its ability to modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria while suppressing the proliferation of harmful pathogens, thereby promoting optimal intestinal health. It is highly valued as a valuable thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier, contributing to the texture and stability of a wide range of food products.

Bean consumption during childhood may play a role in promoting early-life health given their high nutritional quality. To examine the associations of children\'s bean consumption with the socio-demographic characteristics of the child and mother and the child\'s nutrient intake, we analyzed data from the WIC-ITFPS-2, which followed children and their mothers at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, and 24 months (m) following birth. Caregivers (mostly mothers) responded to an interview-administered 24 h recall on their child\'s dietary intake at each time point. The intake of dried beans, chili, yellow beans, and lima beans was quantified. Correlate measures included socio-demographic characteristics. Outcome measures of interest focused on the intake of macronutrients (grams and % kcals) and micronutrients at 11 (infancy) and 24 m (toddler) only. To ensure statistical power, we only examined the associations of dried beans and chili with socio-demographics (Chi-square tests) and nutritional outcomes (ANOVA) at 11 and 24 m. The proportion of children who consumed dried beans or chili was very low in the first 6 m of age, started to increase at 7 m (1.2% and 0.4%) and 11 m (4.9% and 2.3%), and reached a high level at 18 m (10.5%) and 24 m (5.9%), respectively. Consumption of yellow or lima beans was rare (<0.1%). At 11 and 24 m, dried bean consumption was higher in children who were White (vs. Black). Dried bean and chili consumption was higher in children who were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (vs. non-Hispanic or non-Latino ethnicity). Children who consumed dried beans and chili at 11 or 24 m had a higher intake of total energy, protein, total fiber, potassium, folate, and magnesium compared with non-consumers. The bean consumption was low amongst children, differed by race and ethnicity, and was associated with improved macro- and micronutrient intake in children at 11 and 24 m.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence is available that focuses on beans within American dietary patterns and health. The purpose of this study was to identify commonly consumed adult dietary patterns that included beans and compare shortfall nutrient intakes and diet quality, relative to adults whose typical dietary pattern did not include beans.
METHODS: The analyses used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2018. Cluster analysis was used to identify bean patterns of consumption, while the USDA food coding system defined daily beans consumed. Five bean dietary patterns of consumption were identified, of which four patterns included both canned beans and dry beans, while one pattern had no bean consumption. Bean consumption was defined as those consuming kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, and/or pinto beans.
RESULTS: Adults consuming Bean Dietary Patterns 1, 2, 3 and 4 had significantly higher diet quality scores (as assessed by USDA\'s Healthy Eating Index-2015) compared to the no-bean pattern (61.2 ± 0.5, 58.9 ± 0.5, 55.2 ± 0.4 and 56.5 ± 0.8 vs 48.8 ± 0.2 p\'s < 0.0001). Bean consumers also had significantly higher intakes of several shortfall nutrients (choline, alpha-linolenic acid, folate, iron, magnesium and vitamin E) relative to non-consumers of beans. Similarly, intake of dietary fiber, potassium and calcium, all nutrients of public health concern were significantly higher in bean patterns compared to no-beans. Bean Dietary Pattern 1 (~ 13.5% of total daily kcal from beans or ~ 2 servings of beans/day) and 2 (~ 9.5% of total daily kcal from beans or ~ 1.7 servings of beans/day) were significantly associated with lower BMI, decreased body weight and improved waist circumference relative to no-beans.
CONCLUSIONS: Dietary patterns that are rich in canned and dry beans were associated with significantly higher diet quality scores and greater intake of shortfall nutrients, including nutrients of public health concern. Bean dietary patterns were also associated with improved weight-related outcomes. Dietary guidance should consider the nutrient and health benefits associated with the promotion of increased canned and dry bean consumption in American dietary patterns.

Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) is a significant entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) in agriculture as a sprayable biocontrol agent. It has the potential to be established as an endophyte (ENP) in various crops, resulting in beneficial effects for the host plants, including resistance to pest insects and increased growth and yield. However, it is not known whether a B. bassiana strain has such a favorable impact on the plant, since it is a common soil microorganism. Therefore, techniques that allow strain monitoring will be advantageous. To date, methods for detecting or monitoring a specific EPF strain after external application are scarce. In the present study, an in planta nested PCR technique was standardized to differentiate between three B. bassiana strains (GHA, PTG4, and BB37) established as endophytes in bean plants under laboratory conditions by detecting the insertion profile of four group I introns located in the 28S gene of B. bassiana ribosomal DNA. This technique recognized a distinct pattern of bands of different sizes for each strain, with a sensitivity of 1 pg per 10 ng of plant DNA. This molecular approach may be more effective monitoring B. bassiana strains after application to evaluate their significance on crops.

Beans and vegetables are consumed with cereals in India on daily basis. The aim of the study was to assess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals in cooked beans and cooked vegetables consumed by adults (18-59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) subjects from two districts (Ludhiana and Bathinda) of Punjab. A total of 150 households were selected from 30 different locations covering both rural and urban areas. The mean daily consumption of beans and vegetables in Ludhiana was recorded as 35.09 and 215.93 g, respectively. The corresponding figures in Bathinda were observed as 26.85 and 230.54 g. The average amounts of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury were 1.44 × 10-5, 8.21 × 10-5, 1.30 × 10-3, and 2.61 × 10-7 mg/kg for cooked vegetables in urban households of Ludhiana district, respectively. The corresponding values for rural households were 1.53 × 10-5, 5.58 × 10-5, and 2.98 × 10-4 mg/kg while mercury was not detected. The mean chronic daily intake (CDI) of arsenic from cooked beans was significantly (p ≤ .001) higher in urban adult males of Ludhiana (7.74 × 10-9 mg/kg/day) and Bathinda (5.31 × 10-9 mg/kg/day) compared to their rural counterparts. Similar trend was observed in CDI of heavy metals from vegetables. The mean CDI of cadmium from cooked vegetables in urban adult females of Ludhiana (3.76 × 10-7 mg/kg/day) was significantly (p ≤ .001) higher than their rural counterparts and both urban and rural adult females of Bathinda. The study concluded that the subjects of both districts were found safe from non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk associated with heavy metals present in cooked beans and vegetables, except for urban subjects and rural adult subjects of Ludhiana district who had cancer risk due to cadmium present in cooked vegetable samples.

Beans elicit lower glycemic responses (GRs) than other starchy foods, but the minimum effective dose (MED) to reduce GR is unknown. We sought to determine the MED of beans compared to common starchy foods. Overnight-fasted healthy volunteers consumed ¼c (phase 1, n = 24) or ½c (phase 2, n = 18) of black, cranberry, great northern, kidney, navy and pinto beans and corn, rice, pasta and potato (controls), with blood glucose measured before and for 2 h after eating. GRs (incremental areas under the curves, iAUCs) after beans were consumed were compared to those of controls by ANOVA followed by Dunnett\'s test. To qualify for MED, beans had to elicit an effective reduction in GR, defined as a statistically significant reduction in iAUC of ≥20% (i.e., a relative glycemic response, RGR, ≤80). Outcomes from in vitro digestion were compared with in vivo RGR. Both doses of all six beans effectively reduced GR versus all four starchy controls, except for ¼c and ½c cranberry and pinto vs. corn, ¼c great northern and navy vs. corn and ¼c navy and pinto vs. potato. MED criteria were met for 18 comparisons of the ¼c servings, with four of the remaining six met by the ½c servings. The overall mean ± SEM RGR vs. controls was similar for the ¼c and ½c servings: 53 ± 4% and 56 ± 3%, respectively. By multiple regression analysis, RGR = 23.3 × RDS + 8.3 × SDS - 20.1 × RS + 39.5 × AS - 108.2 (rapidly digested starch, p < 0.001; slowly digested starch, p = 0.054; resistant starch, p = 0.18; available sugars, p = 0.005; model r = 0.98, p = 0.001). RGR correlated with in vitro glucose release (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). The MED of beans is ¼ cup. For n = 30 comparisons (n = 24 beans vs. controls, n = 6 controls vs. each other), an effective reduction in GR was predicted from in vitro carbohydrate analysis with 86% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Practical, affordable solutions need to be implemented to address global challenges confronting human and environmental health. Despite a myriad of benefits for people and the planet, beans and other pulses (e.g., chickpeas, cowpeas, dry peas, lentils) are under-consumed. To better understand consumer concerns and interests, a Food Habits Survey was conducted and the findings were incorporated into the Colorado State University Extension Bean Toolkit. Guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, the toolkit included informational social media posts, cooking guidance, and an online class. A convenience sample of participants was recruited through Extension and university networks. After class participation, significant gains in knowledge of pulse nutrition, versatility, and cooking were observed, with an average increase of 1.5 points on a 5-point Likert scale (p < 0.001). Moreover, participants (n = 86) perceived a greater importance of motivators (e.g., nutrition, versatility, environmental benefits) and found barriers (e.g., flatulence, long cooking times, unfamiliarity) to be less discouraging. Most participants reported an intention to eat more pulses, and among those who completed the 1-month follow-up survey, pulse intake frequency increased (p = 0.004). Emphasizing motivating factors while simultaneously mitigating barriers to consumption can help reverse insufficient intake and promote healthy behavior change. Leveraging Extension or similar networks is one way to adopt a translational approach to better reach the public with this information.