Global Status of Vegetable Soybean.

Vegetable soybean, popularly known as edamame in Japan and mao dou in China is a specialty soybean. Green pods with physiologically mature beans are harvested, and whole pods or shelled beans are used as a fresh or frozen vegetable. Vegetable soybeans are prepared in diverse ways, and they are highly nutritious, with excellent taste properties. Unlike grain soybeans, it is perishable. In this review, the chronological progression of area, production, export, import, and expansion of vegetable soybeans and potential for further expansion is discussed. Available information on current ongoing research and development activities in various countries around the world are presented, and their relevance is discussed. At present, the production and consumption of vegetable soybeans are mainly in East and Southeast Asia, with Japan as the largest importing country that dictates the global market. However, interest and trend in cultivation of this crop in other regions has increased significantly. Lack of germplasm or suitable varieties is a major constraint in vegetable soybean production and expansion in countries outside East and Southeast Asia. Most of the vegetable soybean varieties are genetically related and are susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. Extensive research and breeding of vegetable soybeans are still restricted in a few countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan and the USA. The need for focused research and development activities with concern for the environment, farmers' and processors' profit, consumers' preference, quality, and nutrition are emphasized.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) inhibits growth and induces differentiation of human leukemic U937 cells through activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food worldwide for centuries. In this study, the growth-inhibiting and immunopotentiating effects of commonly used rice were examined. The growth of human leukemic U937 cells was significantly inhibited by the peripheral blood mononuclear cell-conditioned medium (MNC-CM) derived from water extracts of Japonica rice milled Taiwan 9 (MT9) and brown Taiwan 9 (BT9). Furthermore, these MNC-CMs induced differentiation of U937 cells into mature monocytes/macrophages expressing superoxide-producing and phagocytic activity. The amounts of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in MNC-CMs prepared with MT9 and BT9 were greater than normal MNC-CM. However, growth of U937 cells was not inhibited by normal MNC-CM or rice extracts alone. The possible active components of MT9 and BT9, other than PHA-like glycoproteins and heat-sensitive proteins and lipopolysaccharides, remain to be determined. Our results demonstrate that MT9 and BT9 can inhibit growth and induce differentiation of leukemic U937 cells through activation of human peripheral blood MNC in vitro. These two types of rice as energy-providing food could be biological response modifiers for augmenting anti-leukemia immunity.