A Simple High-Throughput Method for the Analysis of Vicine and Convicine in Faba Bean

The faba bean is one of the earliest domesticated crops, with both economic and environmental benefits. Like most legumes, faba beans are high in protein, and can be used to contribute to a balanced diet, or as a meat substitute. However, they also produce the anti-nutritional compounds, vicine and convicine (v-c), that when enzymatically degraded into reactive aglycones can potentially lead to hemolytic anemia or favism. Current methods of analysis use LC-UV, but are only suitable at high concentrations, and thus lack the selectivity and sensitivity to accurately quantitate the low-v-c genotypes currently being developed. We have developed and fully validated a rapid high-throughput LC-MS method for the analysis of v-c in faba beans by optimizing the extraction protocol and assessing the method of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, accuracy, precision and matrix effects. This method uses 10-times less starting material; removes the use of buffers, acids and organic chemicals; and improves precision and accuracy when compared to current methods.