Revealing the extended effect of biofortification on seed of cowpea cultivars

The present research reveals the extended effect of iron and zinc biofortification in recently introduced cowpea cultivars, considering several nutritional factors. Results showed that the manganese concentration in biofortified cultivars was higher than in common beans, and bioaccessibility was ca. 51.6% higher. Also, the magnesium content was higher, reaching > 50% bioaccessibility and > 21% dialyzability. The availability of minerals in cooked biofortified cultivars significantly increased, and the evaluated cowpea cultivars presented high lipid contents and energy values. Moreover, we found unknown synergistic correlations between copper and magnesium, and between manganese and the lipid content. This antagonistic correlation of copper and manganese with zinc may explain their limited contents in the biofortified cowpea beans. PCA analysis discriminated cowpea and common bean cultivars and indicated the prevalence of the effects of biofortification. Overall, the new biofortified cowpea cultivars presented a nutritional quality compatible with the demands of the human diet. [Display omitted] •Biofortification targeting Fe and Zn also enriched other mineral nutrients in cowpea.•Bioaccessible Mn in biofortified cowpeas was ca. 50% higher than in common beans.•Cowpea seeds also have Mg available for absorption in the human GI tract.•We reveal synergistic correlations for bean, e.g., Cu – Mg and Mn – lipid.•PCA analysis showed that biofortification promotes differentiation of beans.