Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron and zinc deficiencies, remain a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Soybean (Glycine max L.) represents an important source of plant protein and essential micronutrients; however, its nutritional value may be affected by the presence of antinutritional compounds that reduce mineral bioavailability. This study aimed to evaluate the variability of antinutritional factors, bioactive phytochemicals and mineral composition among four mutant soybean lines (Diamuini 1, Diamuini 2, Lutaladio and Luyindula) compared with the parent variety TGX1830-7F. Oxalates, saponins, flavonoids, phytates and condensed tannins were quantified using gravimetric, titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods, while iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) concentrations were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05), principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation analysis. Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed among genotypes for oxalates, flavonoids, phytates and condensed tannins. Diamuini 2 exhibited the highest oxalate (44.37 mg/100 g DM) and tannin contents (4.76 mg/100 g DM), whereas Lutaladio displayed the highest flavonoid concentration (10.97 mg /100 g DM) and the lowest phytate content (76.03 mg/100 g DM). TGX1830-7F recorded the highest iron (89.49 mg/kg) and zinc (64.81 mg/kg) concentrations. PCA explained more than 77,2% of the total variability and identified three major genotype groups. HCA confirmed this clustering pattern, grouping Lutaladio and Luyindula within a nutritionally favorable cluster. The global nutritional index ranked the varieties as follows: Lutaladio > Luyindula > TGX1830-7F > Diamuini 1 > Diamuini 2. The results demonstrate that induced mutagenesis generated substantial nutritional variability in soybean and identified Lutaladio as a promising genotype for biofortification programs and food security improvement in the DRC.
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