COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT ON THE NUTRITIONAL AND ANTINUTRITIONAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE UNDERUTILIZED LEGUMES, Canavalia gladiata (JACQ.) DC, Erythrina indica LAM. AND Abrus precatorius L.

Abstract

The seed samples of Canavalia gladiata, Erythrina indica and Abrus precatorius (red and black coloured seed coat and white coloured seed coat) were collected from the regions of Tamil Nadu and analyzed for their chemical composition with a view to evaluate their nutritional potential. The proximate composition revealed that, all the presently investigated seed samples were found to contain high content of crude protein and crude lipid. Mineral profiles were also analyzed in all the seed samples. All the investigated pulses appeared to be good sources of potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and manganese content were deficient when compared with Recommended Dietary Allowance (NRC/NAS, 1980, 1989). Vitamins (niacin and ascorbic acid) contents were found to be relatively high in the investigated pulses. The essential amino acid profiles of total seed proteins were compared favorably with FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern. Fatty acid profiles revealed that, all the investigated seed samples had rich unsaturated fatty acids (55.60-72.04%) and very high content of linoleic acid (24.16-34.14%). The IVPD of the investigated tribal pulses ranged from 63.31-71.36%. Antinutritional factors like total free phenolics, tannins, L-DOPA, phytic acid, hydrogen cyanide, trypsin inhibitor, oligosaccharides and phytohaemagglutinating activity were analyzed.