Alfalfa

Medicago sativa Fabaceae

Nutrition per 100g

23.0
kilocalorie
Calories
4.0
gram
Protein
0.690
gram
Fat
2.1
gram
Carbs
1.9
gram
Fiber

Full Nutrition Breakdown per 100g

Other

Water 92.8 gram
Energy 23.0 kilocalorie
Energy 96.0 kilojoule
Protein 4.0 gram
Total lipid (fat) 0.690 gram
Ash 0.400 gram
Carbohydrate, by difference 2.1 gram
Fiber, total dietary 1.9 gram
Sugars, total including NLEA 0.200 gram
Glucose 0.080 gram
Fructose 0.120 gram
Calcium, Ca 32.0 milligram
Iron, Fe 0.960 milligram
Magnesium, Mg 27.0 milligram
Phosphorus, P 70.0 milligram
Potassium, K 79.0 milligram
Sodium, Na 6.0 milligram
Zinc, Zn 0.920 milligram
Copper, Cu 0.157 milligram
Manganese, Mn 0.188 milligram
Selenium, Se 0.600 microgram
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid 8.2 milligram
Thiamin 0.076 milligram
Riboflavin 0.126 milligram
Niacin 0.481 milligram
Pantothenic acid 0.563 milligram
Vitamin B-6 0.034 milligram
Folate, total 36.0 microgram
Folate, food 36.0 microgram
Folate, DFE 36.0 microgram
Choline, total 14.4 milligram
Betaine 0.400 milligram
Vitamin A, RAE 8.0 microgram
Carotene, beta 87.0 microgram
Carotene, alpha 6.0 microgram
Cryptoxanthin, beta 6.0 microgram
Vitamin A, IU 155.0 International Unit
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.020 milligram
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 30.5 microgram
Fatty acids, total saturated 0.069 gram
SFA 14:0 0.002 gram
SFA 16:0 0.059 gram
SFA 18:0 0.008 gram
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 0.056 gram
MUFA 18:1 0.056 gram
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 0.409 gram
PUFA 18:2 0.234 gram
PUFA 18:3 0.175 gram
Threonine 0.134 gram
Isoleucine 0.143 gram
Leucine 0.267 gram
Lysine 0.214 gram
Valine 0.145 gram

Bioactive Compounds

Flavanone Contains lipid Contains L-Ascorbic Acid Contains Sucrose Contains Carotenoids Contains Anthocyanins Contains polyphenols Contains P-Coumaric Acid Contains Saponin Contains Sodium Chloride Contains heavy metals Contains carbohydrate Contains Eugenol Contains reactive oxygen species Contains phenols Contains Selenium Contains Chlorophyll Contains Apigenin Contains Nitrogen Contains Jasmonic Acid Contains Cadmium Contains Malonaldehyde Contains L-Proline Contains Salicylic Acid Contains Abscisic Acid Contains Carbon Contains Brassinosteroid Contains

Health Conditions

avoid Hypertension via Sucrose · evidence: limited
encourage Hyperuricemia via Anthocyanins · high · evidence: limited
encourage Hyperuricemia via Flavanone · evidence: limited
encourage Metabolic Syndrome via Anthocyanins · high · evidence: limited
encourage Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Anthocyanins · evidence: limited
encourage Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Apigenin · high · evidence: limited
encourage Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Flavanone · moderate · evidence: limited
encourage Obesity via Anthocyanins · evidence: limited
encourage Obesity via Flavanone · moderate · evidence: limited
encourage Obesity via polyphenols · evidence: limited
encourage Osteoporosis via Flavanone · evidence: limited
encourage Peptic Ulcer Disease via Flavanone · evidence: limited
encourage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via Flavanone · high · evidence: limited
encourage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via polyphenols · evidence: limited
encourage Ulcerative Colitis via polyphenols · high · evidence: limited

Research

86 studies discovered for Alfalfa.

Hays of Novel-Improved Legume Cultivars: Phytochemical Content and Nutritional Value.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024 Oct 31 · PMID 39519973

Isolation, structure elucidation, and Topoisomerase II inhibition of medicarpins isolated from Alfalfa ().

Natural product research · 2026 Jul 03 · PMID 42398040

MsRH53 is involved in brassinolide biosynthesis and positively regulates the salt tolerance in alfalfa.

Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology · 2026 Sep · PMID 42144114

Effect of Conventional and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Conditions on the Physicochemical Properties, Phytochemical Content, Antioxidant Activity and Functional Properties of Alfalfa Protein Concentrates.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025 Dec 14 · PMID 41465017

Harnessing desert resources: a comparative study of microgreens growth, nutrient dynamics, and performance in desert sand and rockwool.

Frontiers in plant science · 2025 · PMID 41114147

Plant-mediated nickel oxide nanoparticles show species-dependent antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities.

Scientific reports · 2025 Aug 24 · PMID 40851031

Exploring the Sustainable Utilization of Alfalfa Within the Phytomedicine Domain.

Plant, cell & environment · 2026 Jul · PMID 40518764

Brown juice processed from alfalfa green biomass as a source of phytohormones and saponins.

Scientific reports · 2025 May 28 · PMID 40437035

Hemostatic effects of combined Thymus vulgaris and Medicago sativa extracts: in-silico and in-vivo study.

Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis · 2025 Jul 01 · PMID 40314340

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of MsCLE3a confers compact alfalfa architecture.

Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology · 2025 Aug · PMID 40312015

Genome-Wide Identification of the Brassinosteroid Signal Kinase Gene Family and Its Profiling under Salinity Stress.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2024 Aug 04 · PMID 39126068

Proteomic characterization and cytotoxic potential of proteins from Cuscuta (Cuscuta epithymum (L.) crude herbal product against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line.

BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2024 May 20 · PMID 38769554

Phytochemical Profile, Bioactive Properties, and Se Speciation of Se-Biofortified Red Radish (), Green Pea (), and Alfalfa () Microgreens.

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry · 2024 Mar 06 · PMID 38393752

Brassinosteroids and gibberellic acid actively regulate the zinc detoxification mechanism of Medicago sativa L. seedlings.

BMC plant biology · 2023 Feb 04 · PMID 36737680

Bioactive metabolite profile and antioxidant properties of brown juice, a processed alfalfa () by-product.

Heliyon · 2022 Nov · PMID 36444258

A 24-epibrassinolide treatment and intercropping willow with alfalfa increase the efficiency of the phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil.

The Science of the total environment · 2023 Jan 01 · PMID 36063946

The effect of Medicago sativa extract and light on skin hypopigmentation disorders in C57/BL6 mice.

Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2022 Nov · PMID 35815838

A domestic plant differs from its wild relative along multiple axes of within-plant trait variability and diversity.

Ecology and evolution · 2022 Jan · PMID 35127045

Is Phytomelatonin Complex Better Than Synthetic Melatonin? The Assessment of the Antiradical and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021 Oct 08 · PMID 34641628

Comparison Study of Cytotoxicity of Bare and Functionalized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 Sep 02 · PMID 34502438

Differences and characteristics in amino acids, catechins, and flavonoids among alfalfa ( L.) germplasms and tissues according to UHPLC-Q Exactive-MS technology.

Frontiers in plant science · 2026 · PMID 42111734

Synergistic Effects of Non-Thermal Plasma Exposure Time and Drought on Alfalfa ( L.) Germination, Growth and Biochemical Responses.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2025 Dec 28 · PMID 41516207

Polyphenol-Enriched Extracts from Leaves of Mediterranean Plants as Natural Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO)-A and MAO-B Enzymes.

Nutrients · 2025 Dec 20 · PMID 41515140

Nutraceutical Potential of and in the Diet Formulation for Male Goat.

Metabolites · 2025 Jul 05 · PMID 40710557

Alfalfa leaf weevil larvae and adults feeding induces physiological change in defensive enzymes of alfalfa.

PloS one · 2024 · PMID 39514475

Step-by-step optimization of a heterologous pathway for de novo naringenin production in Escherichia coli.

Applied microbiology and biotechnology · 2024 Aug 10 · PMID 39126431

Comparison of the effects of alfalfa meal and sorghum distillery residue supplementation on the methane emissions in black-feathered Taiwan native chicken.

Journal of animal science · 2024 Jan 03 · PMID 39096209

Synergistic effect of pyrene and heavy metals (Zn, Pb, and Cd) on phytoremediation potential of Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) in multi-contaminated soil.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2024 Mar · PMID 38383928

Evaluating the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of and Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024 Jan 09 · PMID 38257240

Feeding alfalfa-grass or red clover-grass mixture baleage: Effect on milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and microbiota taxa relative abundance, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.

Journal of dairy science · 2024 Apr · PMID 37863298

Non-destructive distinction of single seed for Medicago sativa and Melilotus officinalis by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

Journal of chromatography. A · 2023 Aug 16 · PMID 37290349

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus changes alfalfa response to pathogen infection activated by pea aphid infestation.

Frontiers in microbiology · 2022 · PMID 36845970

Antioxidant status in the blood, liver, and muscle tissue of turkey hens receiving a diet with alfalfa protein concentrate.

Poultry science · 2023 Apr · PMID 36796243

Allelopathic Substances of spp. for Developing Sustainable Agriculture.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023 Jan 13 · PMID 36679091

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Alters Alfalfa () Defense Enzyme Activities and Volatile Organic Compound Contents in Response to Pea Aphid () Infestation.

Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022 Dec 16 · PMID 36547641

Characterization of Forage Quality, Phenolic Profiles, and Antioxidant Activity in Alfalfa ( L.).

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022 Oct 16 · PMID 36297759

Meat production, quality, and oxidative shelf-life of Haemonchus-parasitised and non-parasitised lambs fed incremental levels of sericea lespedeza substituted for lucerne.

Meat science · 2023 Jan · PMID 36283161

Ensiling pretreatment fortified with laccase and microbial inoculants enhances biomass preservation and bioethanol production of alfalfa stems.

The Science of the total environment · 2023 Jan 20 · PMID 36252666

Metabolomics-Based Analysis Reveals Flavonoid-Mediated Defence in Alfalfa ( 'Gannong No. 5') Against Pea Aphid () Infestation.

Insects · 2026 Jun 30 · PMID 42505790

Role and mechanisms of moisture regulation in enhancing alfalfa silage quality.

BMC plant biology · 2026 Jun 24 · PMID 42343196

Application of FeO/SA nanoparticles and carbonized rice straw biochar as an efficient adsorbents for heavy metals: physiological study on alfalfa plant.

BMC plant biology · 2026 Jun 09 · PMID 42265582

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the mechanism of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to cadmium stress.

Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology · 2026 Jun 03 · PMID 42242400

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Adaptive Mechanisms of Under Water Stress.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 May 16 · PMID 42197665

Protective role of Luteolin against salinity-induced oxidative damage in Medicago sativa.

Scientific reports · 2026 May 20 · PMID 42162141

Integrated multi-omics reveals divergent salt stress response mechanisms in three alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars.

Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology · 2026 Sep · PMID 42144115

ABA Accumulation Confers Cross-Adaptation to Saline-Alkali and Cold Stresses in Alfalfa.

Plant, cell & environment · 2026 Aug · PMID 42117572

Functional analysis of , , and genes in alfalfa under salt stress using -mediated composite plants.

Plant signaling & behavior · 2026 Dec 31 · PMID 42033385

Machine learning-driving optimization and spatial assembly of a cell-free system for high-yield liquiritigenin production.

Advanced biotechnology · 2026 Mar 27 · PMID 41893937

Overexpression of MtLOX24 enhances alfalfa resistance to Spodoptera litura via phenylpropanoids and jasmonic acid pathways.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB · 2026 Apr · PMID 41880933

Cyanobacterial priming enhances lignin biosynthesis for cell wall macromolecular reinforcement: A mechanism for mitigating InO nanoparticle Stress in the legume alfalfa and the grass rye.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB · 2026 Apr · PMID 41864175

Adaptive Mechanisms of White-Flowered Alfalfa ( L.) in High-Altitude Cold and Saline-Alkali Environments.

Biology · 2026 Mar 03 · PMID 41823841

Investigating the mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-mediated optimization of alfalfa silage fermentation and enhancement of antioxidant capacity based on 16 S sequencing technology.

BMC microbiology · 2026 Mar 04 · PMID 41781850

High Light Promotes Anthocyanin Biosynthesis via MsCOP1-MsMYB17-MsDFR/MsANS Module in Alfalfa.

Plant, cell & environment · 2026 May · PMID 41656919

Mechanism of Engineered Rhizobia Overexpressing Cytokinin Improve Heat Stress Response in Alfalfa.

Plant, cell & environment · 2026 May · PMID 41656616

Transcriptome-Metabolome Integration Uncovers Salt Stress Effects on Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Two Self-Selected Breeding Alfalfa Varieties.

Physiologia plantarum · 2026 · PMID 41508545

Synergistic effects of melatonin and 24-epibrassinolide on salt stress tolerance in Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) seedlings.

BMC plant biology · 2026 Jul 06 · PMID 42410340

Cold Plasma Treatment Enhances Drought Tolerance of Alfalfa ( L.) Seeds by Modulating Physiological Responses and Transcriptomic Profiles.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 May 28 · PMID 42351987

Pasture species selection for free-range egg production systems: Implications for laying performance, egg quality, hen welfare, and soil functioning.

Poultry science · 2026 Jun 10 · PMID 42335729

Assessment of Alfalfa varieties under salt stress through morpho-physiological and biochemical traits using a comprehensive membership function approach.

BMC plant biology · 2026 Jun 15 · PMID 42298416

Physiological and Transcriptomic Evaluation of Drought Tolerance in Alfalfa ( L.) and Identification of Resilient Germplasm.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 Jun 03 · PMID 42280773

Genome-wide association studies reveal a functional SNP and candidate genes associated with alkali tolerance in alfalfa.

Plant molecular biology · 2026 Jun 02 · PMID 42228216

Overexpression of an Alfalfa Gene, , Confers Cold Tolerance in Transgenic .

Genes · 2026 May 06 · PMID 42195014

Integrated analysis of morphological traits and salinity stress-related gene expression in alfalfa ( L.) from Türkiye under magnesium sulfate and calcium chloride treatments.

Frontiers in plant science · 2026 · PMID 42179513

Effects of Water-Retaining Agent Application on Growth Physiological Characteristics and Yield of Alfalfa ( L.).

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 Apr 23 · PMID 42122798

Sulfated Alfalfa Polysaccharides Enhance Post-Obesity Recovery Through Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Antioxidant Activity.

Chemistry & biodiversity · 2026 May · PMID 42116643

Mitigating water stress in Medicago sativa L. through irrigation system modification: a field study in a semi-arid region.

Scientific reports · 2026 May 03 · PMID 42071010

Rhizospheric regulation and antioxidative defense mediate species-specific phytoremediation efficiency in multi-metal contaminated soils.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB · 2026 May · PMID 42066707

A Synthetic Community from Rhizosphere in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Endow Alfalfa with the Ability to Resist Drought and Cold.

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry · 2026 Apr 29 · PMID 42007648

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis enhances the cadmium stress tolerance of Medicago sativa in association with regulation of the aminolevulinic acid pathway.

BMC plant biology · 2026 Apr 18 · PMID 42001003

Effects of exogenous selenium on physiological characteristics and cadmium accumulation in L. under cadmium stress.

International journal of phytoremediation · 2026 Apr 13 · PMID 41973534

Deglycosylated alfalfa saponins enhance antioxidant capacity and gene expression in obese mice.

Natural product research · 2026 Mar 09 · PMID 41802081

MsmiR171 targets to mediate selenium-regulated chlorophyll biosynthesis in alfalfa.

Horticulture research · 2026 Feb · PMID 41768904

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Promotes the Growth and Cadmium Accumulation of Alfalfa () Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025 Oct 25 · PMID 41225816

Medicago Sativa L. Saponin-Driven Lactobacillus Intestinalis Restores Intestinal Stemness in Naturally Aged Mice via the Bile Acid-FXR-Wnt Signaling Axis.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026 Jan · PMID 41144719

Long non-coding RNA profiling reveals lncRNA MslncLOX13S that promotes lipoxygenase gene expression and enhances the tolerance to selenium in Medicago sativa L.

Journal of plant physiology · 2025 Dec · PMID 41106054

Research progress on polysaccharides in Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa): Structural characteristics, pharmacological activities and structure-activity relationships a review.

International journal of biological macromolecules · 2025 Nov · PMID 41015364

Alfalfa Polysaccharide Alleviates Colitis by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota and the Intestinal Barrier Against the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway.

Nutrients · 2025 Sep 19 · PMID 41010526

The synergistic effect between sodium selenite and Pediococcus acidilactici on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage.

International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology · 2025 Dec · PMID 40958036

Developing a highly efficient whole-cell biotransformation of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone into Apocynin by engineered Escherichia coli expressing caffeic acid O-methyltransferase.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology · 2025 Aug 14 · PMID 40804129

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and neurodegeneration: mechanistic insights into oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal survival pathways.

Molecular biology reports · 2025 Jul 26 · PMID 40715859

Biopesticidal potential of alfalfa extracts against tomato diseases and assessment of their nontarget effects.

Pest management science · 2025 Oct · PMID 40692135

Recycling of Lycium barbarum by-products and bioactive substance application in silage-Insight into antioxidant activity and the regulation mechanism of anaerobic fermentation.

BMC microbiology · 2025 Jul 11 · PMID 40646477

Study on the synthesis, structural characterization, and anti-hepatoma cell proliferation effects of sulfated alfalfa polysaccharides.

Journal of Asian natural products research · 2026 Apr · PMID 40577224

In Vitro Evaluation of Enzymatically Transformed Alfalfa Saponins on Methane Reduction, Rumen Microbes and Metabolomics in Goats.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025 May 22 · PMID 40508983

Effect of Green Synthesized FeONP Priming on Alfalfa Seed Germination Under Drought Stress.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025 Apr 18 · PMID 40284124

Sequential treatment of young landfill leachate by aeration and UV/US/activated persulfate-hydrogen peroxide: performance, optimization and phytotoxicity evaluation.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2025 Feb · PMID 39994120

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