Cultivation and Nutrition of Vegetable Soybeans.

Vegetable soybeans, also called edamame, have been increasing in popularity due to their high antioxidant and protein contents.  Edamame grows well in the United States but cultivars flower in response to daylength and must be developed regionally.   The objective of this study was to determine commercial cultivars suitable for cultivation in Virginia, determine cultural practices to maximize edamame quality characteristics, and determine nutritive values of protein, lipids, antioxidants, and isoflavones.  Five commercial edamame cultivars (BeSweet 292, BeSweet 2015, BeSweet 2001, Midori Giant and Sunrise) were grown in Painter, Virginia.  Protein, Lipids and Carbohydrates were determined using the AOAC methods of analysis.  Antioxidants and isoflavones were measured using ORAC and HPLC analyses, respectively.   There were significant differences in protein content between two cultivars (BS 2001 and BS 292).  These cultivars differed significantly in lipid content, which followed maturity ratings at harvest.  Lipid and protein contents were negatively correlated.