title: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), a renewed multipurpose crop for a more sustainable agri-food system: nutritional advantages and constraints.
abstract: The growing awareness of the relevance of food composition for human health has increased the interest of the inclusion of high proportions of fruits and vegetables in diets. To reach the objective of more balanced diets, an increased consumption of legumes, which constitutes a sustainable source of essential nutrients, particularly low-cost protein, is of special relevance. However, the consumption of legumes also entails some constraints that need to be addressed to avoid a deleterious impact on consumers' wellbeing and health. The value of legumes as a source of nutrients depends on a plethora of factors, including genetic characteristics, agro-climatic conditions, and postharvest management that modulate the dietary effect of edible seeds and vegetative material. Thus, more comprehensive information regarding composition, especially their nutritional and anti-nutritional compounds, digestibility, and alternative processing procedures is essential. These were the challenges to write this review, which focusses on the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, an emerging crop all over the world intended to provide a rational support for the development of valuable foods and feeds of increased commercial value. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: The Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CECAV), Department of Veterinary Sciences, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CITAB), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Piebiep
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9242-5297
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goufo
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CITAB), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CITAB), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Perles
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CITAB), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CITAB), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Eduardo A S
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: The Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CECAV), Department of Veterinary Sciences, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: The Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, (UTAD-CECAV), Department of Veterinary Sciences, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004063:Digestion; D005511:Food Handling; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D000070658:Vigna / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D010833:Phytic Acid
keywords: anti-nutrients; cowpea; digestibility; legumes; nutritional content