Chemical and nutritional evaluation of raw seeds of the tribal pulses Parkia roxburghii G. Don. and Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr.

Abstract

Raw seeds of tribal pulses, Parkia roxburghii and Entada phaseoloides, were analysed for proximate and mineral composition, seed protein fractions, seed protein amino acid profiles, fatty acid profiles of lipids and anti-nutritional factors. The seeds of P. roxburghii contain higher contents of crude protein and crude lipid compared to E. phaseoloides resulting in high energy value. Both the seeds were rich in potassium and iron. The seeds of E. phaseoloides were found to be a rich source of minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and manganese. Albumins and globulins constituted the predominant fractions of the seed proteins. In P. roxburghii and E. phaseoloides the contents of the essential amino acids, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine, were fairly high. Fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids were found to be relatively high in both the tribal pulses. Anti-nutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalaline) and haemagglutinating activity also were analysed or assayed.