Seed Storage Proteins of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L): Current Status and Prospects for Genetic Improvement

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the foremost candidate crops for simultaneously increasing both sustainability and global supply of plant protein. On a dry matter basis, its seeds contain about 29% protein of which more than 80% consists of globulin storage proteins (vicilin and legumin). However, to achieve optimum utilization of this crop for human and animal nutrition, both protein content and quality have to be improved. Though initial investigations on the heritability of these traits indicated the possibility for genetic improvement, little has been achieved so far, partly due to the lack of genetic information coupled with the complex relationship between protein content and grain yield. This review reports on the current knowledge on Vicia faba seed storage proteins, their structure, composition, and genetic control, and highlights key areas for further improvement of the content and composition of Vicia faba seed storage proteins on the basis of recent advances in Vicia faba genome knowledge and genetic tools.