Comprehensive Assessment of Biochemical Traits in Diverse Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Germplasm for Selection of Superior Accessions

This study evaluated the diversity of 68 faba bean accessions grown in the Republic of Korea, focusing on variations in antinutrient factors, nutritional composition, fatty acids, lipid quality, antioxidant activity, and key agronomical traits. All parameters showed significant variations, indicating broad genetic diversity. Vicine and convicine were detected in all accessions using UHPLC-MS/MS, with their concentrations varying more than threefold. Total phenol (1.65-4.38 mg GAE/g), saponin (4.12-9.50 mg DE/g), and tannin (1.70-9.47 mg CE/g) contents showed coefficients of variation (CV) above 18.00%. Similarly, crude fiber (3.42%-10.85%), dietary fiber (9.18%-25.47%), total protein (21.68%-34.40%), and total fat (0.90%-1.99%) contents exhibited wide variations (CV > 9.50%). Palmitic acid (15.13%-18.73%) and linoleic acid (38.51%-54.93%) were the dominant saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Antioxidant activities, including DPPH• scavenging activity (0.40-2.33 mg AAE/g), ABTS•+ scavenging activity (1.87-7.26 mg TE/g), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.67-4.94 mg AAE/g) varied significantly, all with CVs over 25.00%. Green genotypes exhibited significantly higher tannin, fibers, and palmitic and total saturated fatty acids, while yellow genotypes showed higher antioxidant activities, total unsaturated fatty acids, and lipid quality indices. Cluster and principal component analyses differentiated accessions based on their overall biochemical profile. Accession VF050 was identified for its low antinutrient content, VF012 and VF004 for distinct antioxidant potential, VF062, VF027, and VF012 for lipid quality, VF032, VF009, and VF018 for high fiber, VF041 and VF057 for high protein, and VF019 and VF027 for agronomic performance. These accessions could serve as valuable materials for food innovation, crop improvement, and cultivation.