Raffinose family oligosaccharides in seeds of common vetch (Vicia sativa L. ssp. sativa)

Abstract

The composition and content of low-molecular weight soluble carbohydrates in seeds of 66 accessions of common vetch (Vicia sativa L. ssp. sativa) stored in the Polish and German gene banks, originating from Europe, Asia, Middle East and North Africa, were analyzed using a gas chromatography method. Genotypes showed differences in the composition of carbohydrates depending on the origin of seeds. Common features of accessions were: i) the predominance of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) in soluble carbohydrates, and ii) verbascose as the main oligosaccharide in RFOs. Several accessions with lowered RFOs content were identified. They may be suitable for breeding focused on diminishing RFOs, as antinutritional compounds in seeds.