Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein: Impact of extraction method and cultivar on structure, function, and nutritional quality.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasingly gaining traction as a novel and sustainable source of plant protein. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two protein extraction methods, alkaline extraction coupled with isoelectric precipitation (AE-IEP) and salt extraction coupled with ultrafiltration (SE-UF) in producing hemp protein isolates (pH-HPI and salt-HPI) with high purity and yield. Structural characterization as impacted by extraction method and cultivar was performed and related to functional performance and nutritional quality. Both extraction methods, with carefully selected parameters, resulted in HPI with high purity (86.6-88.1% protein) and protein extraction yields (81.6-87.3%). All HPI samples had poor solubility (∼9-20%) at neutral pH compared to commercial soy protein and pea protein isolates (cSPI, cPPI). A relatively high surface hydrophobicity and low surface charge contributed to such poor solubility of HPI. However, HPI demonstrated similar solubility at acidic pH (50-67%) and comparable gel strength (up to 24 N) to cSPI. Comparing experimental amino acid composition to the theoretical amino acid distribution in hemp protein provided insights to the functional performance of the protein isolates. While pH-HPI demonstrated better functionality than salt-HPI, minimal structural, functional, and nutritional differences were noted among the pH-HPI samples extracted from four different cultivars. Overall, results from this work could be used to guide future attempts to further develop successful protein extraction processes, and to provide valuable insights to propel breeding efforts that target enhanced hemp protein characteristics for food applications.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ideotype.

Breeding a model plant that encompasses individual traits thought to enhance yield potential, known as ideotype breeding, has traditionally focused on phenotypic selection of plants with desirable morphological traits. Broadening this breeding method to the molecular level through the use of molecular markers would avoid the environmental interactions associated with phenotypic selection. A population of 110 F5 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from the cross between WO3391 and 'OAC Speedvale', was used to develop a genetic linkage map consisting of 105 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), simple sequence repeat (SSR), and sequence-tagged site (STS) markers. The map has a total length of 641 cM distributed across 8 linkage groups (LGs). Five of them were aligned on the core linkage map of bean. Twenty-one quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified over three environments for eight agronomic and architectural traits previously defined for a bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ideotype. The QTLs were mapped to seven LGs with several regions containing QTLs for multiple traits. At least one QTL was located for each trait and a maximum of four were associated with lodging. Total explained phenotypic variance ranged from 10.6% for hypocotyl diameter to 45.4% for maturity. Some of the QTLs identified will be useful for early generation selection of tall, upright, high-yielding lines in a breeding program.

Predicting progeny performance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) using molecular marker-based cluster analysis.

Recovery of superior individuals from a cross based solely on the phenotypic characteristics ofsingle-plant selections is inefficient because some traits, like yield, have low heritabilities, or because it is difficult to create the correct conditions for selection, as with disease resistance. In contrast, molecular markers are highly heritable and unaffected by environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of molecular markers to identify superior lines in a breeding population by examining relationships between genetic distances (GDs) and phenotypic data for eight agronomic and architectural traits (branch angle, height, hypocotyl diameter, lodging, maturity, upper pods, pods per plant, and yield) obtained from three locations over a two-year period. From an elite common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cross, 110 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and the two parents were screened with 116 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Pairwise GD values were calculated between each line and a selected "target" (the parent 'OAC Speedvale') using the Jaccard method and correlated to the trait data. The correlations were low and non-significant for all traits, except for branch angle (r = 0.30), maturity (r = -0.25), and pods per plant (r = 0.35). The lines were also grouped according to their cluster-based GD from the target parent using UPGMA cluster analysis. Trait data of lines within groups were combined and correlated to cluster-based GD. Correlation values were large and significant for all traits. Additionally, one-half of the top 10 yielding lines and nearly one-third of the best phenotypically ranked lines were present within the 13% of lines clustered nearest the target. A selection method using marker-based cluster analysis (MBCA) is suggested to assist phenotypic selection by directing a breeder's attention to a subsample of the population containing a high proportion of superior lines.