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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #152880
Title: VELVETBEAN: A SPECIAL-PURPOSE LEGUME FOR IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL AND MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS

Author
item Morris, John - Brad
item MOORE, K - AGRESEARCH CONSULTANTS,IN
item EITZEN, J - AGRESEARCH CONSULTANTS,IN

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2003
Publication Date: 11/1/2003
Citation: Morris, J.B., Moore, K.M., Eitzen, J.B. Velvetbean: a special-purpose legume for important agricultural and medicinal applications. Crop science, 2003. Agronomy abstracts (cd-rom).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Velvetbean contains phytochemicals which are effective nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals and have potential as new alternative crops. Velvetbean contains accessions which grow as large sub-tropical vines in the sub-tropical zones. Velvetbean contains the phytochemical known as L dopa which may improve Parkinson's disease in humans. Many other new products from velvetbean have been identified and include products such as glutamic acid which is possibly useful for chemotherapy induced mucositis and fiber for probable prevention of colon cancer. Velvetbean contains additional health enhancing phytochemicals in sufficient quantity to be economically feasible for commercial applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical areas.