Exploring bamboo leaf nutrient value in the USNPGS germplasm collection

Authors: Wang, Ming; Irish, Brian; Tonnis, Brandon; Pinnow, David; DAVIS, JERRY - University Of Georgia; Hotchkiss, Michael - Mike; Harrison, Melanie

Submitted to: Austin Food Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2017
Publication Date: 4/19/2017
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5695448
Citation: Wang, M.L., Irish, B.M., Tonnis, B.D., Pinnow, D.L., Davis, J., Hotchkiss, M.W., Harrison, M.L. 2017. Exploring bamboo leaf nutrient value in the USNPGS germplasm collection. Austin Food Sciences. 2(1):1030. https://doi.org/10.26420/austinfoodsci.2017.1030.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26420/austinfoodsci.2017.1030

Interpretive Summary: Bamboo shoots and leaves are nutritious, providing food for both human and animal consumption. But their nutrient value may depend on the bamboo species, harvesting season, and growing location. Leaf crude protein content, amino acid composition, and mineral element concentration were quantified from leaf samples collected from 222 accessions representing two bamboo types (temperate/tropical), two growing seasons (dry/wet), and three locations (Byron, GA/Govardhan, PR/TARS, PR). Significant variability in leaf nutrient value was identified among accessions, types, growing locations, and harvesting seasons. On average, bamboo leaf tissue contained 12.92% protein with relatively high percentages of leucine (8.97%) and proline (7.98%) and low percentages of tryptophan (1.69%) and histidine (2.01%). Bamboo leaves also contained relatively high concentrations of the macro-mineral elements potassium (12.17 mg/g) and calcium (5.37 mg/g), high concentrations of the micro-mineral elements manganese (388.76 µg/g) and iron (123.19 µg/g), and low concentrations of boron (7.8 µg/g) and zinc (28.56 µg/g). PI 647932 and TARS 182857 contained the highest and lowest protein content (21.69% and 5.78%), respectively. Temperate bamboos contained a significantly higher percentage of protein (13.02%) than tropical bamboos (12.71%). Leaf samples harvested from the dry season contained a significantly higher percentage of protein (13.12%) than leaf samples harvested from the wet season (12.70%). The leaf samples harvested from Govardhan Garden location contained a higher percentage of protein (13.40%) than from Byron (12.65%) and TARS (12.89%) locations. The leaf samples harvested from Govardhan Garden contained a significantly higher iron concentration (151.22 µg/g) than from other two locations (118.19 µg/g, 111.52 µg/g), whereas the leaf samples collected from Byron contained a significantly higher zinc concentration (36.03 µg/g) than from other two locations (27.83 µg/g, 22.11 µg/g). There was no significant difference in iron and zinc concentrations between leave samples collected from dry or wet seasons. Tropical bamboo leaves contained a higher iron concentration (131.74 µg/g) than temperate bamboo leaves (118.95 µg/g) whereas temperate bamboo leaves contained a significantly higher zinc concentration (29.82 µg/g) than tropical bamboo leaves (26.01 µg/g). The information on the bamboo leaf nutrient value related to bamboo accessions, types, growing location, and harvesting season will be very useful for bamboo growers, processors, and consumers.

Technical Abstract: Bamboo shoots and leaves are nutritious, providing food for both human and animal consumption. But their nutrient value may depend on the bamboo species, harvesting season, and growing location. Leaf crude protein content, amino acid composition, and mineral element concentration were quantified from leaf samples collected from 222 accessions representing two bamboo types (temperate/tropical), two growing seasons (dry/wet), and three locations (Byron, GA/Govardhan, PR/TARS, PR). Significant variability in leaf nutrient value was identified among accessions, types, growing locations, and harvesting seasons. On average, bamboo leaf tissue contained 12.92% protein with relatively high percentages of leucine (Leu, 8.97%) and proline (Pro, 7.98%) and low percentages of tryptophan (Trp, 1.69%) and histidine (His, 2.01%). Bamboo leaves also contained relatively high concentrations of the macro-mineral elements potassium (K, 12.17 mg/g) and calcium (Ca, 5.37 mg/g), high concentrations of the micro-mineral elements manganese (Mn, 388.76 µg/g) and iron (Fe, 123.19 µg/g), and low concentrations of boron (B, 7.8 µg/g) and zinc (Zn, 28.56 µg/g). PI 647932 and TARS 182857 contained the highest and lowest protein content (21.69% and 5.78%), respectively. Temperate bamboos contained a significantly higher percentage of protein (13.02%) than tropical bamboos (12.71%). Leaf samples harvested from the dry season contained a significantly higher percentage of protein (13.12%) than leaf samples harvested from the wet season (12.70%). The leaf samples harvested from Govardhan Garden location contained a higher percentage of protein (13.40%) than from Byron (12.65%) and TARS (12.89%) locations. The leaf samples harvested from Govardhan Garden contained a significantly higher iron concentration (151.22 µg/g) than from other two locations (118.19 µg/g, 111.52 µg/g), whereas the leaf samples collected from Byron contained a significantly higher zinc concentration (36.03 µg/g) than from other two locations (27.83 µg/g, 22.11 µg/g). There was no significant difference in iron and zinc concentrations between leave samples collected from dry or wet seasons. Tropical bamboo leaves contained a higher iron concentration (131.74 µg/g) than temperate bamboo leaves (118.95 µg/g) whereas temperate bamboo leaves contained a significantly higher zinc concentration (29.82 µg/g) than tropical bamboo leaves (26.01 µg/g). The information on the bamboo leaf nutrient value related to bamboo accessions, types, growing location, and harvesting season will be very useful for bamboo growers, processors, and consumers.