The biochemical composition and nutrient assessment of less known pulses of the genus Canavalia

Abstract

Two germplasms of the tribal pulse, Canavalia gladiata collected from Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu and another tribal pulse, Canavalia ensiformis, collected from Mullai Nagar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu were analysed for proximate composition, mineral composition, seed protein fractions, amino acid profiles, fatty acids and antinutritional factors. The investigated seed materials contained higher amounts of crude protein, crude fat and energy content when compared with most of the commonly consumed Indian pulses. The seeds were found to be a rich source of minerals such as Na, K and Ca. Albumin and globulin fractions constituted the major bulk of seed proteins. Seed proteins of the investigated samples contained essential amino acids such as isoleucine, leucine and tyrosine in higher concentrations. Nonetheless valine and the sulphur-containing amino acids occurred in lower amounts when compared with the WHO/FAO (1973) recommended pattern. The seed lipids of the investigated samples contained higher amounts of the essential fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic, when compared with Cajanus cajan and Glycine max. The total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and haemagglutinating activity were also analysed or assayed.