Resistance of Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) seeds to Callosobruchus maculatus is restricted to cotyledonary tissues

We have investigated the survival of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae when reared on resistant IT81D 1045 Vigna unguiculata seeds, whose resistance has been associated with variant forms of vicilins. Here, we present data which show that larvae of C. maculatus feeding on embryonic axis of resistant cowpea reach a mass of around 28 times higher than those feeding on cotyledonary tissues. Additionally, incorporation of 5–10% of embryonic axis flour on artificial seeds made of resistant flour restores toxicity of seeds to the bruchid. Vicilins purified from both susceptible and resistant embryonic axis had no deleterious effects either on insect development or on insect survival until a level of 4% of incorporation. In contrast, vicilins from resistant cotyledons show an LD₅₀ (50% lethal dose) and WD₅₀ (half weight dose) of 2%. Total vicilin contents of embryonic axes were around two times lower than in cotyledonary tissues, while proteolytic activities of all four proteinase classes were always higher in the former tissues. By 2D‐PAGE we visualized eight protein spots, which seem to be exclusively found on resistant cotyledons. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Deterrent and insecticidal properties of bean seed (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) whole meal or protein extract incorporated into the diet of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Callosobruchus maculatus, a pest that causes serious damage to chickpea Cicer arietinum, cannot develop in the seeds of Phaseolus or Vigna spp. which contain lectins. The insecticidal activity towards C. maculatus in these seeds is attributed both to lectins with specific affinity to N-acetylglucosamine, the major component of insect chitin, and to alpha-amylase inhibitors (lectin-like proteins). The insecticidal properties of bean meal or bean protein extracts from different sources towards different pest species are variable and need to be experimentally evaluated. The main objective of this study was to determine through a feeding trial on artificial chickpea seed the potential of bean seed meal from a wild bean Vigna caracalla, four varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris, and of a protein extract of P. vulgaris seed, to alter different life history traits of C. maculatus. The chickpea weevil was set up on artificial chickpea seeds containing different amounts of bean meal to observe the effects on female oviposition, percentage of development to adulthood and juvenile development time. These traits were combined in a composite index measuring the alteration of the multiplication rate of C. maculatus fed on artificial seed. The activity of lectin-like extracts was observed on chickpea artificial seed spiked with bean seed extract. Incorporation of bean flour at a rate of 10 and 20% in chickpea artificial seed significantly decreased C. maculatus female fecundity, percentage of adult emergence, and greatly increased the development time. Feeding trials with protein extracts of P. vulgaris reduced fecundity and survival of C. maculatus. Incorporation of 10% V. caracalla bean seed meal in chickpea artificial seed, reduced the multiplication potential of C. maculatus by over 90% showing that bean seed lectin extracts are worthy of further investigation for post-harvest infestation control.     

Effect of different legume seeds on life table parameters of cowpea weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most important storage pests of legume seeds. The effect of various legume species including chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (cultivars Hashem and Mansour), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) (cultivars Mashhad and 1057), green gram (Vigna radiata L.) (cultivar Parto), lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (cultivar Bilehsavar) was studied on the life history and life table parameters of C. maculatus at 30 ± 1 °C, relative humidity of 65 ± 5% and complete darkness. The developmental time was longest on lentil and shortest on cowpea 1057. The fecundity (number of eggs laid per reproductive period) of the pest was the lowest on lentil. The longest oviposition period was observed on chickpea Hashem. The gross and net reproductive rates were the highest on chickpea Mansour and lowest on lentil. The intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase were the lowest when C. maculatus was reared on lentil and highest when it was reared on other hosts. The longest and shortest mean generation times were observed on lentil and cowpea 1057, respectively. According to the obtained results, lentil was relatively resistant and the other tested legumes were more susceptible hosts for feeding and population increase of C. maculatus. It is concluded that the resistant host cultivar can be proposed to be incorporated into breeding programs to minimize the economic losses incurred by C. maculatus.     

Mechanism of seed lectin tolerance by a major insect storage pest of Phaseolus vulgaris,acanthoscelides obtectus

The bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is a major storage peat of Phaseolus vulgaris L (kidney, haricot bean). The seeds of P vulgaris contain high levels (up to 30 mg g^?1 DM) of lectin, which has been shown to be toxic towards larvae of the related bruchid storage pest of cowpea, Callosobruchus maculatus F. The lack of toxicity of this lectin towards larvae of A obtectus is demonstrated. Unlike the strong binding of lectin to the midgut epithelium observed in larvae of C maculatus, no binding of lectin molecules was found to occur in the gut epithelial cells of A obtectus. This observation provides the basis for a hypothesis explaining the lack of toxicity of P vulgaris lectin towards A obtectus. Assays of proteolytic activity in gut homogenates of C maculatus and A obtectus suggest that the difference in susceptibility of the two insects towards the toxic effects of the lectin is not due to differential inactivation by proteolysis. Besides its effects on larval development, the lectin has a further effect at pupation, causing disruption of adipose tissues in C maculatus but having no effect on A obtectus.     

Biochemical basis of insect resistance in inged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) seeds

Mature seeds of the inged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) are toxic to developing larvae of a range of cosmopolitan storage Bruchidae of economic importance, including the copea seed eevil, Callosobruchus maculatus. Insect feeding trials ere carried out in hich protein fractions from seeds of inged bean ere incorporated at a range of concentrations into artificial seeds, and their effects upon development of C maculatus determined. Both albumin and globulin fractions ere toxic to the developing larvae and their toxicity correlated ith their haemagglutinating activity. Assay of Psophocarpin A, B and C fractions demonstrated Psophocarpin B to be the most insecticidal and to contain the highest haemagglutinating activity. Purified basic seed lectin as highly insecticidal to C maculatus larvae, ith an LC₅₀ value of c. 3·5 g kg^?1. The physiological level of this protein in inged bean seeds is sufficient to account for their resistance to attack by C maculatus. inged bean trypsin inhibitor as also purified and tested in artificial seeds against C maculatus. Hoever, even at concentrations in excess of tice the physiological concentration it had no deleterious effects upon development.     

Inheritance of protein content in seeds of selected crosses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

The inheritance pattern of protein content in seeds of two crosses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) was studied. It was observed that, in both crosses, inheritance of the character involved both additive and non-additive gene effects. Heritability in the broad sense was 0·70–0·78. A significant effect of pollen source was detected in one of the two crosses. In both crosses, comparison of seed protein content of reciprocal segregating generations indicated the influence of cytoplasmic factors.     

Structural and some nutritional characteristics of Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starches

Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) starches were isolated from seeds and their structural characteristics evaluated using XRD, size‐exclusion chromatography and light scattering analyzes. Total starch, available starch, RS and in vitro digestibility were also determined. Structural and nutritional characteristics of Velvet bean and Lima bean starches were compared to those of commercial corn starch. The legumes starches presented a C‐type XRD pattern and crystallite sizes of 43.1 Å for velvet bean and 48.3 Å for lima bean. Lima bean starch average molar mass (4.9 × 10⁶ g/mol) was slightly higher than the velvet bean starch (3.04 × 10⁶ g/mol). Size‐exclusion chromatography indicated structural similarity between the lima bean and corn starches which differed from that of the velvet bean starch. Hydrodynamic radius (R_H) for the velvet bean and lima bean starches was 45.5 and 55 nm, respectively, and their radius of gyration (R_G) was 67.7 and 82.5 nm, respectively. Total starch content in all three starches was greater than 98%. Their complex crystalline structure provided the legume starches lower in vitro digestibility values than the corn starch. RS content in both the velvet bean starch (7.72%) and lima bean starch (5.66%) was higher than in the corn starch, essentially qualifying these polysaccharides as natural dietary fiber sources, with the associated physiologic advantages.     

Changes in lipid components during the development of the french bean seed (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Changes in lipid classes, fatty acid composition and distribution have been monitored during the germination, development and maturation of the French bean seed Phaseolus vulgaris. A lipase activity profile over time was also determined. Ungerminated seeds contained high levels of triglycerides and free fatty acids, but low levels of polar lipids, monoglycerides, and diglycerides. Five days after germination there was a decrease in the quantity of triglycerides and free fatty acids and a concomitant increase in the levels of monoglycerides, diglycerides, and polar lipids. As development and maturation progressed, triglycerides increased substantially at the expense of mono- and diglycerides. Ungerminated seeds contained high levels of C₂₀-C₂₂ fatty acids which decreased after germination with a concomitant increase in C₁₆-C₁₈ unsaturated fatty acids. A study of the fatty acid distribution among the different classes of lipids demonstrated that 55% of the unsaturated fatty acids in the ungerminated seeds were present in the triglycerides, whereas the remainder were distributed among the mono- and diglycerides as well the other lipid classes (free fatty acids, polar lipid, and sterols). Five days after germination, the majority of these unsaturated fatty acids were found in the glyceride form. Overall the lipid classes, fatty acid composition and distribution changes during development and maturation of the French bean seed indicated that it shares many of the characteristics of soya bean development.     

Genetic analysis of seed resistance to Callosobruchus chinensis and Callosobruchus maculatus in cowpea

Callosobruchus chinensis (azuki bean weevil) and Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea weevil) are the most destructive pests that cause significant losses to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds during storage. Development of cultivar(s) resistance to bruchids is a major goal in cowpea breeding program. Cowpea accession “TVu 2027” has been identified as moderately resistant to C. maculatus. Genetic studies of the seed resistance in this accession using strains of C. maculatus from Africa and America have demonstrated that the resistance is controlled by one or two recessive genes. However, there is no reports on genetics of the resistance to C. chinensis and to strain(s) of C. maculatus from Asia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate genetics of the resistance to C. chinensis and C. maculatus in TVu 2027. TVu 2027 (P₂) and PK2015VTN001 (P₁; susceptible cowpea) were used to develop six basic generations (populations), viz. P₁, P₂, F₁ (P₁ × P₂), F₂ (P₁ × P₂), BC₁P₁ (P₁ × F₁) and BC₁P₂ (P₂ × F₁). The population were evaluated for percentage of damaged seeds (PDS) and area under the disease progress stairs (AUDPS; indicating infestation severity) by C. chinensis and C. maculatus. The results showed that TVu 2027 was moderately resistant to both bruchid species. Broad-sense heritability for PDS and AUDPS was moderate, being 70% and 73% for C. chinensis, respectively, and 64% and 61% for C. maculatus, respectively. Number of genes controlling C. chinensis resistance and C. maculatus resistance was two genes and one gene, respectively. Generation mean analysis revealed that genes with additive effect and additive × dominance gene interaction are involved in the resistance to both bruchid species. Correlation analysis suggested that the genes controlling resistance to C. chinensis and those conferring resistance to C. maculatus are unlinked.     

Yield and biosynthesis of nitrogenous compounds in fruits of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L cv Strike) in response to increasing N fertilisation

The objective of the present work was to determine the effect of different dosages of N on the biosynthesis of organic N compounds in fruits and their influence on yield in green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L cv Strike) plants. The nitrogen was applied to the nutrient solution as NH₄NO₃ at 1.5 (N1), 3 (N2), 6 (N3), 12 (N4), 18 (N5) and 24 mM (N6). Treatment N3 was considered optimal for efficient yield in green bean plants and also for the null presence of NO₃^?. Highest N dosages (18 and 24 mM ) resulted in the accumulation of NO₃^? in pods and seeds. This accumulation encouraged nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) activity in both tissues and treatments, and therefore NR activity might be considered as a good bioindicator of the presence of NO₃^? in edible fruits. The greater NH₄⁺ assimilation by glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) occurred primarily in the pods of the N6 treatment, while the seeds acted as physiological sinks, these latter tissues presenting the highest concentrations of amino acids, proteins and organic N. The high accumulation of NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ in both seeds and pods could be the direct cause of the reduction in fruit production, indicating that green bean plants are very sensitive to high N levels. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Chitinase and a β-1,3-Glucanase Isolated from the Seeds of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculataL Walp) Inhibit the Growth of Fungi and Insect Pests of the Seed

A chitinase (22000 Da) and a β-1,3-glucanase (26000 Da) were isolated from cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) seeds and shown to deter development, in an in vitro assay, of the phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (agent of anthracnose, a disease of many plants) and Colletotrichum musae (agent of banana peel anthracnose). The isolated chitinase was also shown to negatively affect the development of the cowpea weevil ( Callosobruchus maculatus ) in an artificial seed system. These results suggest that the cowpea seed contains defence proteins that could be, if their levels are properly managed, utilised to promote increased protection of the plant towards attacking fungi and insects.     

Accumulation and quality of storage protein in developing cowpea,mung bean and soya bean seeds

This study was carried out to compare the time course of laying down seed storage protein in three legumes viz: cowpea (Vigna unquiculata), mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) and soya bean (Glycine max) planted in two replications. Pods were harvested periodically during seed maturation and studied for changes in fresh and dry weights, total sulphur, total nitrogen and protein content. At early stages of development crude protein formed about one-third of dry weight in the legumes but decreased to about one-quarter at maturity. The total sulphur which formed a substantial amount of the sulphur amino-acids in mature seeds did not change much in mung bean and cowpea but increased by about 24% from 20 to 69 days after flowering (DAF) in soya bean. Storage protein accumulation was very rapid between 10 and 14 DAF (10.4% day^?1) in mung bean, 7 and 14 DAF (12.9% day^?1) in cowpea and between 20 and 30 DAF (9.4 day^?1) in soya bean. Thereafter, protein accumulation declined slightly and gradually approached zero at time of seed maturity. The sulphur-to-nitrogen ratios gradually increased with maximum values in the mature seeds. Although seed protein content and quality (on S/N ratio basis) were highest in soya bean, accumulation of storage protein seemed to be faster in cowpea than mung bean and soya bean during seed maturation.     

Effects of temperature on development of the azuki bean weevil,Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on two leguminous seeds

The azuki bean weevil, Callosobruchus chinensis L., is one of the most serious stored product pests in the world. The temperature driven stage-specific development of C. chinensis was examined at eight constant temperatures of 15.97, 18.31, 22.09, 26.15, 30.50, 34.39, 38.00, and 40.00 °C on azuki bean (Vigna angularis [Wild.] Ohwi & Ohashi) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) seeds. Parameters for stage-specific development such as threshold temperatures and thermal constants were determined by linear and nonlinear models. The total developmental time (egg - adult) decreased with increasing temperature from 14 to 38 °C on both seeds. However, total developmental time varied from 127.93 to 122.25 days at 15.97 °C to 19.31 and 19.17 days at 38.00 °C on azuki bean and cowpea seeds, respectively. The nonlinear Logan-6 and Performance models estimated optimal temperatures as 37.3, 37.0, 36.5 and 37.1 °C on azuki bean, and as 36.7, 36.4, 34.5 and 36.6 °C on cowpea for egg, larva, pupa and egg to adult, respectively. The linear model estimated the lower temperature thresholds (T_min) of egg, larva, pupa and egg to adult as 16.97, 10.47, 1.36, and 10.28 °C on azuki bean, respectively, and 16.84, 10.33, 10.92, and 9.83 °C on cowpea, respectively. The thermal constants (K) for each stage completion was 35.13, 255.21, 233.11, and 503.41° days (DD) for egg, larva, pupa, and egg to adult on azuki bean, respectively and 32.45, 246.50, 107.04, and 490.02 DD for egg, larva, pupa, and egg to adult on cowpea, respectively. Temperature also influenced the adult longevity. These findings on thermal requirements and temperature thresholds can be used to predict the occurrence, number of generations and population dynamics of C. chinensis.     

Effects of cooking on content of amino acids and antinutrients in three Chinese indigenous legume seeds

The effects of domestic cooking on the content of amino acids and antinutrients of Phaseolus angularis, Phaseolus calcaratus and Dolichos lablab seeds were evaluated. Heat treatment (30 min) caused significant declines (P<0·05) in the apparent recovery of most of the essential amino acids except leucine and phenylalanine for P angularis, and except phenylalanine for P calcaratus. Cooking D lablab seeds (60 min) also resulted in a significant reduction (P<0·05) in the apparent recovery of all the essential amino acids except leucine, histidine, lysine and threonine. Increased cooking time for P angularis (60 min), P calcaratus (60 min) and D lablab (120 min) led to a lower apparent recovery of methionine (28·9–31·6%) and cystine (17·1–19·3%). Even with increased cooking times, the total essential amino acid levels in all three cooked seeds remained higher than that of the FAO/WHO requirement, except for methionine and cystine. Cooking (60 min) was found to be effective in reducing the tannin contents of P angularis, P calcaratus and D lablab seeds by 70·6, 64·6 and 74·6%, respectively. Upon cooking, phytate and trypsin inhibitory activity in different seeds were also reduced to different extents depending on the cooking times. ©1997 SCI     

Carob bean germ seed (Ceratonia siliqua): Study of the oil and proteins

The oil and flour of the seed germ of carob bean (Ceratonia siliqua L) were studied. The fatty acid composition included, as main components, palmitic (14·2%), stearic (3·0%), oleic (38·5%) and linoleic (43·6%) acids. Lipolysis with pancreatic lipase shows the following glyceride composition: S₃ (0·0%), US₂ (2·7%), SU₂ (27·9%) and U₃ (63·7%). The protein flour was separated into protein classes according to their solubility and molecular weight, and the preparation of an isolate (with more than 90% protein) is described.     

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis): Chemical compositions,physicochemical properties,health benefits,and food applications

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), also called red bean, is a legume of Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. This crop is native to East Asia and is also commercially available in other parts of the world. It is becoming a research focus owing to its distinct nutritional properties (e.g., abundant in polyphenols). The diverse health benefits and multiple utilization of this pulse are associated with its unique composition. However, there is a paucity of reviews focusing on the nutritional properties and potent applications of adzuki beans. This review summarizes the chemical compositions, physicochemical properties, health benefits, processing, and applications of adzuki beans. Suggestions on how to better utilize the adzuki bean are also provided to facilitate its development as a functional grain. Adzuki bean and its components can be further developed into value-added and nutritionally enhanced products.     

Trehalose and proline failed to enhance cold tolerance of the cowpea weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Col.: Bruchidae)

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Col.: Bruchidae) is a cosmopolitan field-to-store pest ranked as the major post-harvest pest of cowpea in tropical regions. The cold tolerance of an insect species can vary as a result of abiotic features including food resources. In this study, C. maculatus larvae were fed with proline and trehalose (10, 20, and 40 mmol) treated cowpea seeds to determine the effects of these potential cryoprotectants on the supercooling (SCP) and cold hardiness of the upcoming adult beetles. The SCPs of the control, proline-fed and trehalose-fed adults non-significantly changed from −18.2 °C for the control to −17.2 °C for trehalose-fed adults. The cold hardiness (24 h at 0, -5.0, −7.5, −10.0, and −12.5 °C) of the adults was almost the same for control and treatments. Median lethal times (LT₅₀; lethal time for 50% mortality) were 6.3, 6.0, and 5.4 h, respectively. Moreover, feeding the larvae with proline and trehalose-treated seeds did not affect the proline and trehalose contents of the adult beetles. Our results showed that C. maculatus could not tolerate subzero temperatures well above their SCP, indicating that this species might be a chill-susceptible insect.     

Effect of Several Germination Treatments on Phosphatases Activities and Degradation of Phytate in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) and Azuki Bean (Vigna angularis L.)

Abstract: Two assays were conducted to investigate the changes of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and azuki bean (Vigna angularis L.) phosphatases (phytase [Phy] and acid phosphatase [AcPh]) and the degradation of its substrates (inositol phosphate esters) during seed germination. The 1st assay was to establish the optimal germination conditions of faba bean and azuki bean to improve the endogenous phosphatases and increase the hydrolysis of phytate and, in the second assay, to determine the different lower phosphate esters of myo‐inositol produced during the germination process. In the 1st assay, seeds were soaked for 12 and 24 h and germinated for 3 and 5 d with and without the addition of gibberellic acid (GA₃). In the second assay, seeds were soaked for 12 h and germinated for 1, 3, and 5 d with GA₃. Phy (up to 3625 and 1340 U/kg) and AcPh (up to 9456 and 2740 U/g) activities, and inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) (8.23 and 7.46 mg/g), inositol pentaphosphate (IP5) (0.55 and 0.82 mg/g), and inositol tetraphosphate (IP4) (0.26 and 0.01 mg/g) were detected in ungerminated faba bean and azuki bean, respectively. The germination process caused a significant increase of Phy and AcPh activities in faba bean (up to 147% and 210%) and azuki bean (up to 211% and 596%) and a reduction in the phytate phosphorus content (up to 81% and 63%, respectively). Phytate phosphorus content was affected only by soaking time in the case of faba bean. Finally, during the course of germination, IP6 and IP5 were rapidly degraded in faba bean (88% and 39%) and azuki bean (55% and 56%), and IP4 was only a short‐living intermediate, which was increased during hydrolysis and degraded to inositol triphosphate. In this manner we could obtain a low‐phytate, endogenous phosphatase‐rich ingredient for enhancing human nutrition.     

Semiochemical modulation of host preference of Callosobruchus maculatus on legume seeds

Host preference of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on seeds of three legume cultivars, Ife-brown and black-eyed cowpeas [Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp)], and soybean (Glycine max L.), was investigated. Mated female C. maculatus showed high (90–95%) attraction to the three legume cultivars in Y-tube bioassays. However, the weevils discriminated among the cultivars in four-choice tests and showed greater attraction to Ife-brown cowpea (50%) than to soybean (30%) and black-eyed cowpea (15%). Coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAD) and GC–MS analyses of the headspace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the legume seeds identified 2-ethyl hexanol as the principal EAD active component. Emission of 2-ethyl hexanol was two-fold greater in Ife-brown cowpea (∼0.54 μg g⁻¹ seeds) compared with black-eyed cowpea (∼0.23 μg g⁻¹ seeds) and soybean (∼0.21 μg g⁻¹ seeds). Synthetic 2-ethyl hexanol attracted 68% of female C. maculatus at 0.01 μg dose in Y-tube bioassays. These results demonstrated that host preference in C. maculatus is odor-mediated, and identified 2-ethyl hexanol as a potential attractant for C. maculatus.     

Anti-obesity role of adzuki bean extract containing polyphenols: in vivo and in vitro effects

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of polyphenol‐rich adzuki bean extract on lipid metabolism, triglyceride accumulation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: For the in vivo study, rats were divided into four groups: group C was fed a control diet, group A was fed the control diet with 1% adzuki bean extract, group CF was fed a high fat diet, and group AF was fed a high fat diet with 1% adzuki bean extract. For the in vitro study, the ability of adzuki bean extract to suppress triglyceride incorporation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory response was investigated in cultured human adipocytes. Data from the animal study showed that adzuki bean extract improved lipid metabolism in both the normal and high‐fat diet groups. Adzuki bean extract treatment in the high‐fat group resulted in significant reductions in total hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid secretion into the feces. Incubation of adipocytes with adzuki bean extract significantly decreased triglyceride accumulation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory responses without affecting cell viability. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that adzuki bean extract has high potential to serve as a natural anti‐obesity agent. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry