Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Rice bean: A healthy and cost-effective alternative for crop and food diversity

  • Review
  • Published:
Food Security Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rice bean (Vigna umbellata), an underutilized grain legume or pulse, is often considered a minor crop in Nepal and Northern India. Rice bean is attracting attention worldwide owing to its high yielding ability, resistance to viral, fungal and bacterial diseases, adaptability to grow in less-fertile lands, simple domestic processing and good nutritional potential, which help to make it an affordable substitute for conventional pulses. However, the presence of some anti-nutritional factors such as phenols, saponins, phytic acid, and enzyme inhibitors limit its usage, but simple domestic processing methods such as sprouting, pressure cooking and fermentation can alleviate these problems and enhance its nutritional adequacy. Rice bean can be cultivated in a range of soils to produce high quality grain as well as highly nutritious fodder for livestock, and thus a synergistic effect can be achieved for both human and animal nutrition. Although a multipurpose crop, little has been done to assess its field diversity, to develop high yielding varieties, or to tap its potential in terms of commercial importance and market value. Further research and promotion of rice bean could play a significant role in a diversified sustainable approach to alleviate the global problem of protein and energy malnutrition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Admassu Shimelis, E., & Kumar Rakshit, S. (2005). Antinutritional factors and in-vitro protein digestibility of improved haricot beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties grown in Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 56(6), 377–387.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (2004). Food composition database. Laboratory of Food Function, Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Life Studies, Sugiyama Jogakuen University, Japan. http://database.food.sugiyamau.ac.jp/index asia.php

  • Anonymous (2016). Natural Resources Conservation Service; United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

  • Ashworth, S. & Whealy, K. (2012). Seed to seed: Seed saving and growing techniques for vegetable gardeners. Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah, Iowa. ISBN 9781882424580.

  • Bajaj, M. (2014). Nutrients and antinutrients in rice bean (Vigna umbellata) varieties as effected by soaking and pressure cooking. Asian Journal of Dairying and Foods Research, 33(1), 71–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bravo, L. (1998). Polyphenols: Chemistry, dietary sources, metabolism, and nutritional significance. Nutrition Reviews, 56(11), 317–333.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buergelt, D., von Oppen, M., & Mueller, R. A. E. (2008). Contribution from economics towards the improvement of an underutilized pulse in India and Nepal. In Presentation at the International Conference on Agri-Food Business: Global Challenges, Innovative Solutions held at Halle, Germany.

  • Buergelt, D., von Oppen, M., & Yadavendra, J.P. (2009). Quality parameters in relation to consumer’s preferences in ricebean. In Presentation at the International Conference on India, February 14–16, 2009.Grain legumes: Quality improvement, Value Addition and Trade held at IIPR, Kanpur,

  • Chandel, K. P., Joshi, B. S., Arora, R. K., & Pant, K. C. (1978). Rice bean: A pulse with high potential. Indian Farming, 28, 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, J. H., & Stephen, A. M. (2007). Carbohydrate terminology and classification. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 61, S5–S18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Carvallho, N.M. & Vieira, R.D. (1996). Rice bean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi et Ohasi). In: Nwokolo E. & Smartt J. (Eds) Food and feed from legumes and oilseeds. Springer, Boston, MA, USA. ISBN: 978-1-4613-8050-4, pp 222-228.

  • Dua, R. P., Phogat, B. S., & Raiger, H. L. (2010). Two decades of coordinated research on Rice bean in India − an overview. Nepal: A presentation from final workshop in Nagarkot.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutta, M. (2000). Rice bean in India with particular emphasis on the Himalayan region. Nepal: A presentation from final workshop in Nagarkot.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fageria, N. K., Baligar, V. C., & Bailey, B. A. (2005). Role of cover crops in improving soil and row crop productivity. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 36(19–20), 2733–2757.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gautam, R., Kumar, N., Yadavendra, J.P., Neog, S B., Thakur, S., Khanal, A., Bhandari, B., & Hollington, P.A. (2007). Food security through rice bean research in India and Nepal (FOSRIN). Report 1: Distribution of rice bean in India and Nepal. Local initiatives for biodiversity, research and Develoment (LI-BIRD), Pokhara, Nepal and CAZS natural resources, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Wales, UK.

  • Gebrelibanos, M., Tesfaye, D., Raghavendra, Y., & Sintayeyu, B. (2013). Nutritional and health implications of legumes. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 4, 1269–1279.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilani, G. S., Cockell, K. A., & Sepehr, E. (2005). Effects of antinutritional factors on protein digestibility and amino acid availability in foods. Journal of AOAC International, 88(3), 968–987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilani, G. S., Wu Xiao, A., & Cockell, K. A. (2012). Impact of antinutritional factors in food proteins on the digestibility of protein and the bioavailability of amino acids and on protein quality. British Journal of Nutrition, 108(2), S315–S332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gill, R. K., & Kumar, A. (2017). Genetic analysis of yield attributes in rice bean (Vigna Umbellata Thunb.) under hot and humid climatic conditions. International Journal of Agriculture, Environment & Biotechnology, 10(1), 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gopalan, C., Sastri, B.R., & Balasubramanian, S.C. (1976). Nutritive value of Indian foods. National Institute of nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research. Hyderabad, India.

  • Goyal, A., & Siddiqui, S. (2014). Effects of ultraviolet irradiation, pulsed electric field, hot water dip and ethanol vapours treatment on keeping and sensory quality of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) sprouts. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51(10), 2664–2670.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goyal, A., Siddiqui, S., Upadhyay, N., & Soni, J. (2014). Effects of ultraviolet irradiation, pulsed electric field, hot water and ethanol vapours treatment on functional properties of mung bean sprouts. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51(4), 708–714.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gruere, G., Giuliani, A., & Smale, M. (2006). Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: A conceptual framework, IFPRI-discussion paper, 154. Washington, DC, USA: IFPRI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hira, C. K., Kanwar, J. K., Gupta, N., & Kochhar, A. (1988). Cooking quality and nutritional evaluation of the rice-bean (Vigna umbellata). Journal of Food Science and Technology, 25(3), 133–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, K.D., Bhandari, B., Gautam, R., Bajracharya, J., & Hollington, P.A. (2006). Rice bean: A multipurpose underutilised legume. 5th international symposium on new crops and uses: Their role in a rapidly changing world. 3-4 September 2007, Southampton University, UK.

  • Kamchan, A., Puwastein, P., Sirichakwal, P. P., & Kongkachuichai, R. (2004). In-vitro calcium bioavailability of vegetables, legumes and seeds. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 17, 311–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katoch, R. (2013). Nutritional potential of rice bean (Vigna umbellata): An underutilized legume. Journal of Food Science, 78(1), C8–C16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, D., & Kapoor, A. C. (1990). Some antinutritional factors in rice bean (Vigna umbellata): Effects of domestic processing and cooking methods. Food Chemistry, 37(3), 171–179.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, D., & Kapoor, A. C. (1992). Nutrient composition and antinutritional factors of rice bean (Vigna umbellata). Food Chemistry, 43(2), 119–124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, M., & Kawatra, B. L. (2000). Effect of domestic processing on flatus producing factors in rice bean (Vigna umbellata). Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 44(6), 447–450.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, M., & Kawatra, B. L. (2002a). Effect of domestic processing on zinc bioavailability from rice bean (Vigna umbellata) diets. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Formerly Qualitas Plantarum), 57(3), 307–318.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, M., & Kawatra, B. L. (2002b). Evaluation of iron bioavailability from rice bean (Vigna umbellata) by using anaemic rats. Nutrition Research, 22(5), 633–640.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, A., Kaur, P., Sngh, N., Virdi, A. S., Singh, P., & Rana, J. C. (2013). Grain, starch and protein charateristics of ricebean (Vigna umbellata) grown in Indian Himalaya region. Food Research International, 54(1), 102–110.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khadka, K., & Acharya, B.D. (2009). Cultivation practices of rice bean. Research and Development (LI-BIRD), local initiatives for biodiversity, Pokhara, Nepal.

  • Khanal, A.J., & Paudel, I. (2009). Food security through ricebean research in India and Nepal (FOSRIN). Report 3. Farmers’ local knowledge associated with the production, utilization and diversity of rice bean (Vigna umbellata) in Nepal, Pokhara, Nepal. Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LIBIRD), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, and and Bangor, Wales, UK, CAZS Natural Resources, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University. http://www.ricebean.org/deliverables/deliverable%204%20-%20indigenous%20 knowledge.pdf. Accessed 4 June 2017.

  • Kim, S. K., Nair, R. M., Lee, J., & Lee, S. H. (2015). Genomic resources in mung bean for future breeding programs. Frontiers in Plant Science, 6, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • LI-BIRD (2008). Food security through ricebean research in India and Nepal (FOSRIN). Periodic activity report. Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), Pokhara, Nepal.

  • Malhotra, S., Malik, D., & Dhindsa, K. S. (1988). Proximate composition and antinutritional factors in rice bean (Vigna umbellata). Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 38(1), 75–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malla, S. (1999). Child complementary feeding in urban areas of Nepal: Practices and nutritional implications. Kathmandu, Nepal: Udaya Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manoj Kumar, A., Penchalaraju, M., & Sai Krishna, S. (2014). Effect of soaking on functional properties of Rice bean - a review. International Journal of Scientific Research, 3(9), 1240–1245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maphosa, Y. & Jideani, V. A. (2017). The role of legumes in human nutrition. Functional food- improve health through adequate food, M. Chavarri (Ed), In tech, https://doi.org/10.5772/Intechopen.69127. https://intechopen.com/books/functional-food-improve-health-through-adequate-food/the-role-of-legumes-in-human-nutrition

  • Modgil, R., Mankotia, K., Gupta, R., Malhotra, S. R., & Tanwar, B. (2012). Carbohydrates, minerals, antinutritional constituents and in vivo protein quality of domestically processed cow peas (Vigna ungiculata). Legume Research, 35(3), 214–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, V. R., & Janardhanan, K. (1994). Chemical composition and nutritional evaluation of raw seeds of six ricebean varieties. Journal of the Indian Botanical Society, 73(3–4), 259–263.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee, A. K., Roquib, M. A., & Chatterjee, B. N. (1980). Ricebean for the scarcity period. Indian Farming, 30(26), 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Academy of Sciences (NAS) (1979). Ricebean, Tropical legumes, resources for the future. pp. 80–85.

  • National Research Council (NRC). (1989). Recommended dietary allowances (10th ed.). Washington, D.C., USA: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Negi, K. S., Pant, K. C., Muneem, K. C., & Mal, B. (1996). Evaluation of rice bean genetic resources. Indian Journal of Forestry, 19, 156–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Negi, A., Boora, P., & Khetarpaul, N. (2001). Starch and protein digestibility of newly released moth bean cultivars. Effect of soaking, germination and pressure cooking. Nahrung, 45(4), 251–254.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Otim, J.J. (2009). Climate change and agriculture in Nepal: Rice bean as an alternative crop for adaptation, a case of Wastern development region. M.Sc. Thesis, Bangor University, UK.

  • Parvathi, S., & Kumar, V. J. F. (2006). Value added products from rice bean (Vigna umbellata). Journal of Food Science and Technology-Mysore, 43(2), 190–193.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pugalenthi, M., Vadivel, V., Gurumoorthi, P., & Janardhanan, K. (2004). Comparative nutritional evaluation of little known legumes, Tamarindus indica, Erythrina indica and Sesbania bispinosa. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 4(3), 107–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rachie, K. O., & Roberts, L. M. (1974). Grain legumes of the lowland tropics. Advances in Agronomy, 26, 1–132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramulu, P., & Udayasekhara Rao, P. (1997). Effect of processing on dietary fiber content of cereals and pulses. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Formerly Qualitas Plantarum), 50(3), 249–257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ricardo, B. (1983). World needs improved nutrition and the role of vegetables and legumes. Asian Vegeable Research and Development Center, 10th anniversary monograph series, Shanhua, Taiwan, Republic of China.

  • Rodriguez, M. S., & Mendoza, E. M. T. (1991). Nutritional assessment of seed proteins in rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thumb.)] Ohwi and Ohashi. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Formerly Qualitas Plantarum), 41(1), 1–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sachdeva, A. S. (2014). Net availability of cereals and pulses. www.data.gov.in

  • Sadana, B., Hira, C. K., Singla, N., & Grewal, H. (2006). Nutritional evaluation of rice bean (Vigna umbellata) strains. Journal of Food Science and Technology-Mysore, 43(5), 516–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saharan, K., Khetarpaul, N., & Bishnoi, S. (2002). Variability in physico-chemical properties and nutrient composition of newly released rice bean and faba bean cultivars. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 15(2), 159–167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saikia, P., Sarkar, C. R., & Borua, I. (1999). Chemical composition, antinutritional factors and effect of cooking on nutritional quality of rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb; Ohwi and Ohashi)]. Food Chemistry, 67(4), 347–352.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, M., Lam, N.T., Hoanh, M.T., Padulosi, S., & Quy, G.L. (2010). Promoting neglected and underutilised tuberous plant species in Vietnam. Looking East Looking West: Organic and Quality Food Marketing in Asia and Europe, Wageningen academic publishers, Wageningen, the Netherlands. ISBN: 9789086860951, pp. 183−193.

  • Singh, G. (2012). Crop losses by blister beetle (Mylabris pustulata Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Meloidae) on pigeon pea and mung bean and its management. PAU Ludhiana, India: Doctoral dissertation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S. P., Misra, B. K., Chandel, K. P. S., & Pant, K. C. (1980). Major food constituents of rice-bean (Vigna umbellata). Journal of Food Science and Technology, India, 17(5), 238–240.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S. P., Misra, B. K., Sikka, K. C., Chandel, K. P. S., & Pant, K. C. (1985). Studies on some nutritional aspects of rice bean (Vigna umbellata). Journal of Food Science and Technology, 22(3), 180–185.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sthapit, B. (2010). How to maximize useful diversity of rice bean and other UPS for the well-being of people: Some inputs for next phase. FOSRIN: Food security through rice bean research in India and Nepal. A presentation from final workshop in Nagarkot, Nepal.

  • Sultana, R., Choudhary, A.K., Pal, A.K., Saxena, K.B., Prasad, B.D., & Singh, R. (2014). Abiotic stresses in major pulses: Current status and strategies. In Approaches to Plant Stress and their Management (pp. 173−190). Springer India.

  • Swaminathan, M. S., & Bhavani, R. V. (2013). Food production and availability − essential prerequisites for sustainable food security. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 138(3), 383.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thongram, S., Tanwar, B., Chauhan, A., & Kumar, V. (2016). Physicochemical and organoleptic properties of cookies incorporated with legume flours. Cogent Food and Agriculture, 2(1), 1172389.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomooka, N., Lairungreang, C., Nakeeraks, P., Egawa, Y., & Thavarasook, C. (1991). Mung bean and the genetic resources, the subgenus Ceratotropis. Tsukuba, Japan: Tropical Agriculture Research Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utsumi, S. (1992). Plant food protein engineering. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 36, 89–208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (1985). Protein digestibility corrected amino acid score. https://Wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_Digestibility_Corrected_Amino_Acid_Score

  • World Vegetable Centre (2007). AVRDC Vegetable Resources Genetic Resources Information System, https://avrdc.org/

  • Zaman, Q., & Malik, M. A. (2000). Ricebean (Vigna umbellatta) productivity under various maize-ricebean intercropping systems. International Journal of Agricultural and Biology, 2, 255–257.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India

    Piverjeet Kaur Dhillon

  2. Department of Dairy Technology, Mansinhbhai Institute of Dairy and Food Technology, Dudhsagar Dairy Campus, Mahesana, Gujarat, 384002, India

    Beenu Tanwar

Authors
  1. Piverjeet Kaur Dhillon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Beenu Tanwar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beenu Tanwar.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dhillon, P.K., Tanwar, B. Rice bean: A healthy and cost-effective alternative for crop and food diversity. Food Sec. 10, 525–535 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0803-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0803-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation