ABSTRACT
Wild Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) were compared with cultivated seed sample (LBS.1) in proximate composition, seed protein fractions, amino acid profiles of total seed proteins, mineral composition, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and certain anti-nutritional factors. The wild beans contained more protein (22.84% vs. 20.05%), ash (3.42 vs. 2.91%), crude fiber (5.48% vs. 4.54%), crude lipid (2.63% vs. 2.55%), less carbohydrates (NFE) (65.63% vs. 69.95%) and the energy level of the seed (1576.60 vs. 1599.14 kJ100g-1 DM) than the cultivated seeds. Globulins formed the major bulk of seed proteins in both the seed samples. The essential amino acid profile of total seed proteins compared favorably with FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern, except that there were deficiencies of sulphur containing amino acids in the varieties. Wild seeds were found to be a rich source of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. The wild seed samples presented a less free phenolics (0.66 %), tannins (0.90%), higher content of L-DOPA (0.91 %), and less trypsin inhibitor activity (17.80 TIU mg-1 protein) than the cultivated seeds. Lower levels of phytohaemagglutinating activity for human erythrocytes of “O” blood group than for “A” and “B” blood groups were found. From the chemical point of view, domestication seems to be positive; however, the better protein nutritive quality of the wild beans should be further confirmed by biological assays.
ABSTRACT
Four accessions of the under-exploited legume, Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C (mosquito bean) collected as pod from natural stands of four different agro-climatic regions of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India were analyzed for their proximate composition, seed protein fractions, amino acid profiles of total seed proteins, fatty acid profiles, mineral composition, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and certain anti-nutritional factors, to determine their potential as an alternative source to alleviate protein-energy-malnutrition among the people of Tamil Nadu. The crude protein ranged from 26.69 - 29.84%, crude lipid 11.89 - 13.75%, total crude fibre 8.78 - 9.89%, ash 3.99 - 4.95% and carbohydrates 42.45 - 46.37%. The energy level of the seed (1684.94 - 1725.62 kJ100g-1 DM) was comparable with commonly consumed Indian pulses. The albumins and glutelins constitute the major bulk of seed proteins. The essential amino acid profile of total seed proteins compared favorably with FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern, except that there were deficiencies of sulphur containing amino acids in all the four accessions. The fatty acid profiles revealed that the seed lipids contained higher concentrations of oleic and linoleic acid. The investigated seeds were rich in minerals such as K, Ca, Mg and P. The IVPD of the four accessions ranged from 50.65 - 63.18%. The range of anti-nutritional factors were as follows: total free phenolics, 4.93 - 8.58%, tannins, 6.81 - 9.15%, L-DOPA, 2.21 - 4.52%, phytic acid, 0.33 - 0.89 g100g-1, and trypsin inhibitor activity, 40.4 - 48.2 TIU mg-1 protein. Lower levels of phytohaemagglutinating activity for human erythrocytes of “O” blood group than for “A” and “B” blood groups were found. The anti-nutritional fatty acid, behenic acid (0.47 - 1.37%) was also detected.