{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135409"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135409","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Assessing and Implementing Value-Added Soybean Innovations in the Soybean Meal and Food Industry","abstract":"Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a vital global crop for food and feed, but its value is constrained by consumer-driven quality traits and the presence of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) - antinutritional proteins that impair protein digestion in monogastric animals. This study employed a multifaceted approach combining phenotyping, genome editing, and association mapping to enhance soybean quality. First, we developed near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) calibration models for the rapid estimation of total TI and Kunitz TI content in seeds and meals. Validated against HPLC data, these models demonstrated high predictive accuracy and offer a scalable tool for breeding and industry applications. Second, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of KTI1 and KTI3 in the cultivar Williams 82 produced the low-TI line VTI5-26. Across multi-location field trials, VTI5-26 maintained reduced TI levels without compromising yield, maturity, or pest and disease resistance, and displayed significantly improved resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Third, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 146 natto soybean accessions identified novel SNPs associated with the key quality traits—water absorption, seed coat deficiency, cooked color, protein, and oil content—many of which were linked to stress-responsive gene networks. Collectively, these efforts illustrate how precision breeding and phenotyping tools can accelerate the development of soybean cultivars with enhanced nutritional and functional qualities.","abstract_html":"Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a vital global crop for food and feed, but its value is constrained by consumer-driven quality traits and the presence of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) - antinutritional proteins that impair protein digestion in monogastric animals. This study employed a multifaceted approach combining phenotyping, genome editing, and association mapping to enhance soybean quality. First, we developed near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) calibration models for the rapid estimation of total TI and Kunitz TI content in seeds and meals. Validated against HPLC data, these models demonstrated high predictive accuracy and offer a scalable tool for breeding and industry applications. Second, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of KTI1 and KTI3 in the cultivar Williams 82 produced the low-TI line VTI5-26. Across multi-location field trials, VTI5-26 maintained reduced TI levels without compromising yield, maturity, or pest and disease resistance, and displayed significantly improved resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Third, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 146 natto soybean accessions identified novel SNPs associated with the key quality traits—water absorption, seed coat deficiency, cooked color, protein, and oil content—many of which were linked to stress-responsive gene networks. Collectively, these efforts illustrate how precision breeding and phenotyping tools can accelerate the development of soybean cultivars with enhanced nutritional and functional qualities.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Fletcher, Elizabeth Boadicea"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy","degree_level":"doctoral","degree_discipline":"Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences","degree_department":"Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Zhang, Bo"],"committee_members":["Kuhn, David D.","Morota, Gota","Abaye, Azenegashe Ozzie"],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-05-22","date_published":"2025-05-22","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:07Z","subjects":["plant breeding","soybean"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:43643"],"render_values":[{"text":"vt_gsexam:43643","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135409","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Zhang, Bo"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Kuhn, David D.","Morota, Gota","Abaye, Azenegashe Ozzie"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Fletcher, Elizabeth Boadicea"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2025-06-07T08:04:10Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2025-06-07T08:04:10Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2025-05-22"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["doctoral"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Philosophy"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["plant breeding","soybean"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:43643"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135409"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a vital global crop for food and feed, but its value is constrained by consumer-driven quality traits and the presence of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) - antinutritional proteins that impair protein digestion in monogastric animals. This study employed a multifaceted approach combining phenotyping, genome editing, and association mapping to enhance soybean quality. First, we developed near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) calibration models for the rapid estimation of total TI and Kunitz TI content in seeds and meals. Validated against HPLC data, these models demonstrated high predictive accuracy and offer a scalable tool for breeding and industry applications. Second, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of KTI1 and KTI3 in the cultivar Williams 82 produced the low-TI line VTI5-26. Across multi-location field trials, VTI5-26 maintained reduced TI levels without compromising yield, maturity, or pest and disease resistance, and displayed significantly improved resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Third, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 146 natto soybean accessions identified novel SNPs associated with the key quality traits—water absorption, seed coat deficiency, cooked color, protein, and oil content—many of which were linked to stress-responsive gene networks. Collectively, these efforts illustrate how precision breeding and phenotyping tools can accelerate the development of soybean cultivars with enhanced nutritional and functional qualities."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstractgeneral","label":"General Abstract","values":["Soybeans are an essential global crop for food and animal feed, but they naturally contain proteins called trypsin inhibitors (TIs) that can make it harder for animals to digest their food and grow properly. In this study, we explored new ways to improve soybean quality by reducing these harmful compounds and identifying traits important to food products like natto, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean dish. First, we developed a fast and cost-effective method to measure TI levels using near-infrared light instead of slower lab tests making it easier for farmers and food producers to check seed quality. We also used gene-editing technology (CRISPR/Cas9) to create a new soybean variety, VTI5-26, that significantly reduced Tis levels. This new variety grew just as well as other varieties in field trials and even showed better resistance to a common pest, the soybean cyst nematode. Finally, we evaluated over 100 natto-type soybeans and identified specific genes linked to desirable traits like protein content, oil levels, and seed appearance. These discoveries will support breeders to create soybeans that are healthier, easier to process, and better suited to different markets—benefiting both farmers and consumers."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Doctor of Philosophy"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Assessing and Implementing Value-Added Soybean Innovations in the Soybean Meal and Food Industry"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Zhang, Bo"],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Kuhn, David D.","Morota, Gota","Abaye, Azenegashe Ozzie"],"dc:contributor.department":["Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences"],"dc:creator":["Fletcher, Elizabeth Boadicea"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2025-06-07T08:04:10Z"],"dc:date.available":["2025-06-07T08:04:10Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-05-22"],"dc:description.abstract":["Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a vital global crop for food and feed, but its value is constrained by consumer-driven quality traits and the presence of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) - antinutritional proteins that impair protein digestion in monogastric animals. This study employed a multifaceted approach combining phenotyping, genome editing, and association mapping to enhance soybean quality. First, we developed near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) calibration models for the rapid estimation of total TI and Kunitz TI content in seeds and meals. Validated against HPLC data, these models demonstrated high predictive accuracy and offer a scalable tool for breeding and industry applications. Second, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of KTI1 and KTI3 in the cultivar Williams 82 produced the low-TI line VTI5-26. Across multi-location field trials, VTI5-26 maintained reduced TI levels without compromising yield, maturity, or pest and disease resistance, and displayed significantly improved resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Third, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 146 natto soybean accessions identified novel SNPs associated with the key quality traits—water absorption, seed coat deficiency, cooked color, protein, and oil content—many of which were linked to stress-responsive gene networks. Collectively, these efforts illustrate how precision breeding and phenotyping tools can accelerate the development of soybean cultivars with enhanced nutritional and functional qualities."],"dc:description.abstractgeneral":["Soybeans are an essential global crop for food and animal feed, but they naturally contain proteins called trypsin inhibitors (TIs) that can make it harder for animals to digest their food and grow properly. In this study, we explored new ways to improve soybean quality by reducing these harmful compounds and identifying traits important to food products like natto, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean dish. First, we developed a fast and cost-effective method to measure TI levels using near-infrared light instead of slower lab tests making it easier for farmers and food producers to check seed quality. We also used gene-editing technology (CRISPR/Cas9) to create a new soybean variety, VTI5-26, that significantly reduced Tis levels. This new variety grew just as well as other varieties in field trials and even showed better resistance to a common pest, the soybean cyst nematode. Finally, we evaluated over 100 natto-type soybeans and identified specific genes linked to desirable traits like protein content, oil levels, and seed appearance. These discoveries will support breeders to create soybeans that are healthier, easier to process, and better suited to different markets—benefiting both farmers and consumers."],"dc:description.degree":["Doctor of Philosophy"],"dc:format.medium":["ETD"],"dc:identifier.other":["vt_gsexam:43643"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135409"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:publisher":["Virginia Tech"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright"],"dc:rights.uri":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dc:subject":["plant breeding","soybean"],"dc:title":["Assessing and Implementing Value-Added Soybean Innovations in the Soybean Meal and Food Industry"],"dc:type":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences"],"thesis:degree_level":["doctoral"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctor of Philosophy"],"thesis:institution_name":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:07Z"}