A feasibility study for utilisation of legumes as sustainable protein-rich food in a refugee camp

This study aims to evaluate the potential of edible legumes available in northern Thailand as sustainable protein sources for resource-limited populations, such as refugees. Thirteen edible legume germplasm types were collected from local markets in five northern Thai provinces and commercial plant breeders, with yields assessed and taxonomic identification confirmed through plant structures. Ethnobotanical knowledge was gathered through interviews with residents of a Myanmar refugee camp near the border of Tak Province, Thailand. The germplasms were classified into four genera: Glycine, Phaseolus, Pisum, and Vigna. Edible legumes within Vigna sp. exhibited the highest germination rate (100 %), earliest fruiting (67 days post-planting), and highest total seed yield. Soybean (Glycine sp.) and mung bean (Vigna sp.) were recognised and commonly used as food materials. Nutritional analysis of the dry seeds revealed substantially high protein contents (19.0–36.4 %), with lysine, leucine, and phenylalanine as major essential amino acids, and an Essential Amino Acid Index (EAAI) ranging from 1.00 to 1.89. The fatty acid profile included palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid. This study underscores the potential of locally available Thai legumes to enhance food security for vulnerable by highlighting nutritional value and promoting integration into sustainable food systems.