Mucuna monosperma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Mucuna
Species:
M. monosperma
Binomial name
Mucuna monosperma

Mucuna monosperma, commonly known as negro beans in India, or deer-eye beans, donkey-eye beans, or ox-eye beans, is a large woody climber from the family Fabaceae.[2] The plant has three layers; a brown pod covered in small hairs, curved petals usually colored purple and black round-shaped beans. Small hairs on the pod can irritate the skin.The petals of the Muncuna monnosperma flower opens at night and closes in the morning.[3] It is found in India, including the eastern Himalayas, the northeastern states, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.[1] It's natural habitat is evergreen forests, and it commonly grows near swamps or along streams.[2]

It is discovered that M. monosperma contains L-DOPA, which is a chemical compound commonly used against Parkinson's disease. The beans of the plant contains 5.48% L-DOPA, and the content increases 6.58% when beans are soaked in water. [4] Another research showed that M. monosperma can accelerate melanin production that can be beneficial in cosmetics, agriculture and medicine.[5]

Other than its possible medical uses, M. monosperma has already been consumed as food in areas where it is endemic to. According to Dr. Sturtevants, it is a well-loved fruit among Brahmins.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mucuna monosperma Roxb. ex Wight". Plants of the World online. Royal Botanic Garden Kew Science. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 Sardesai, Milind; Govekar, Ravikiran; Yadav, SR (2013). Field Guide to the Plants of Sahyadri and Konkan. Pune: Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra. p. 150.
  3. ↑ "Mucuna monosperma - Negro Bean". www.flowersofindia.net. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  4. ↑ Inamdar, Shrirang; Joshi, Swati; Jadhav, Jyoti; Bapat, Vishwas (2012). "Innovative Use of Intact Seeds of Mucuna monosperma". Natural Products and Bioprospecting.
  5. ↑ Inamdar, Shrirang; Joshi, Swati; Bapat, Vishwas; Jadhav, Jyoti (2013-12-03). "Innovative use of Mucuna monosperma (Wight) callus cultures for continuous production of melanin by using statistically optimized biotransformation medium". Journal of Biotechnology.
  6. ↑ Sturtevant, Edward Lewis (1972). Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications.

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