Nutritional and anti-nutritional characteristics of mucuna (Mucuna utilis) bean seeds

Some nutritional and anti-nutritional characteristics of mucuna (Mucuna utilis (Wight) Burck) bean seeds were studied. The mature seeds contained 264 g crude protein, 63 g crude fibre, 41 g crude fat, 37 g ash and 595 g carbohydrates kg^?1 DM. The essential amino acid profile compared well with the FAO/WHO scoring pattern except for a deficiency of sulphur-containing amino acids. Mineral composition was similar to those reported for most tropical grain legumes. Raw mucuna seed samples contained moderately high levels of anti-tryptic activity (2170 trypsin units inhibited g^?1 DM), but this was completely destroyed by cooking. The other anti-nutritional factors (phytate, cyanide and tannins) are probably of little nutritional significance provided that the beans are properly processed. The in-vitro protein digestibility of raw and cooked beans were 71·5 and 80·3 %, respectively. In view of the high L-DOPA contents reported in some mucuna cultivars, overconsumption of mucuna beans should be viewed with some caution until suitable processing methods are developed.     

Proximate composition,mineral and amino acid content of mature Canavalia gladiata seeds

The chemical composition and the nutritional quality of protein and carbohydrates of mature seeds of Canavalia gladiata (L.) were investigated. The whole and cotyledon flour of mature seeds contained; crude protein 26.8 and 29.2%; fat 2.8 and 3.1%; fibre 33.2 and 10.2%; ash 3.9 and 4.3%; carbohydrate 33.3 and 53.2% on dry matter basis respectively. The carbohydrate fractions have starch contents of 30.7 and 39.6% and 27.7 and 34.6 mg g⁻¹ low molecular weight carbohydrates on dry matter basis. The energy content of whole seed and cotyledon flour was 11,082 and 14,923 kJ kg⁻¹. Sucrose represents the highest fraction of low molecular weight carbohydrates with fructose being the lowest. The mineral analysis showed K, Mg, Ca, P and S to be present in high quantities. The essential amino acid profile compared well with FAO/WHO recommended pattern except for sulphur containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Therefore the chemical composition of the raw mature seeds of Canavalia gladiata (kernel) indicates the bean to be a good supplement to cereal-based diets.     

Biochemical and nutritional characteristics of non-conventional protein sources

Some nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of Cucumis sativus L and Lagenaria vulgaris (Molina) Standl seeds ere studied. The mature seed kernels contained 312–318 g kg^?1 crude protein, 9–10 g kg^?1 crude fibre, 444–463 g kg^?1 crude fat, 43–45 g kg^?1 ash and 114–142 g kg^?1 carbohydrates. The biological values of cucumber and bottle gourd proteins ere 74.35 and 74.20 respectively. The essential amino acid profile compared ell ith the FAO/HO scoring pattern except for a deficiency of lysine and isoleucine. Lysine as the first limiting amino acid in both the proteins. The leucine:isoleucine and leucine:lysine ratios did not sho imbalance. Trypsin inhibitor, phytate, lectin and tannin levels ere determined in the defatted decorticated cucurbit seed meals. Heat treatment reduced the trypsin inhibitor and lectin activities in all samples to negligible levels. Levels of phytate and tannins ere found to be similar in all samples.     

Biochemical and nutritional evaluation of Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn.) Lackey (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn.) Lackey (Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in the Kollihills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu in Peninsular India, locally known as Adutheenikai, were analyzed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition, minerals and antinutritional factors. The information is reported here for the first time in science. Crude protein, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extractives constitute 20.6, 12.8, 5.8%, and 52.1g/100g seed flour, respectively. The calorific value of 100-g dry matter of seed material is 1700 kJ. The essential amino acids, leucine, lysine, isoleucine, valine, therionine and histidine are present in higher concentrations as 79, 54, 44, 37, 34 and 32 mg/100g crude protein, respectively. The limiting essential amino acids were cystine, methionine and tryptophan. The unsaturated fatty acids constitute more than 60% of seed lipids. The seeds were found to be a potential source of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese and copper. The concentration of these minerals was relatively more than that of NRC/NAC recommended dietary allowances. The anti-nutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, l-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid contents were also determined.     

Nutritional potential of biochemical components in Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae), locally known as Kaattukollu in Tamil language, used as food by Malayali tribals in the Kolli hills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu in South India were analysed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extractives constitute 25.56%, 6.18%, 5.12% and 56.15%, respectively. The caloric value of 100 g dry matter of seed material is 1,601 KJ. The essential amino acids, tryptophan, leucine + isoleucine, arginine and threonine are present relatively in large quantities. The unsaturated fatty acids constitute more than 60%. The seeds are very rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Antinutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid is present in minute quantities. The seed meal is consumed after eliminating all the antinutritional factors using the conventional method of soaking seeds in water, boiling with water and decanting for four times by Malayali tribals.     

Chemical Composition,Amino Acid Content and Protein Quality of the Little-Known Legume Bauhinia purpurea L

Some nutritional and antinutritional characteristics and biological value of Bauhinia purpurea L seeds were studied. The mature seeds contained (g kg^-1 as is) 271·7 crude protein, 58·7 crude fibre, 124·5 crude fat, 29·3 ash and 515·3 carbohydrates. Potassium, phosphorus and iron occurred in higher concentrations when compared with commonly consumed legumes. The globulins and albumins together constituted major storage proteins (82% total protein). The essential amino acid profile of total seed proteins compared well with the FAO/WHO reference pattern except for a deficiency of sulphur-containing amino acids and tryptophan. When compared with the globulins, the albumins appeared to be a rich source of cystine, methionine, threonine, lysine and tryptophan. Seed lipids contained high levels of the unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic, which accounted for 62·6% of total fatty acids recovered. Both dry heating and autoclaving significantly reduced the antinutritional compounds. The in vitro protein digestibilities of raw, dry-heated and autoclaved seeds were 59·5, 72·3 and 78·7%, respectively. True digestibility and net protein utilisation were significantly higher in processed seed samples compared with raw seeds. Regarding utilisable protein, autoclaved samples exhibited relatively higher values than raw seeds. © 1997 SCI.     

Chemical evaluation of the seeds of Milletia obanensis

A study was conduced to evaluate the nutritional potential of Milletia obanensis “Odudu” as a possible food or feedstuff and to assess the effect of various processing methods on its nutritional quality. Results of proximate analysis showed that the raw seeds contained 26.7% crude protein, 23.5% ether extract, 3.47% crude fibre, 4.37% ash and 42.0% nitrogen free extract. The protein was well supplied with essential and non-essential amino acids, though the values were low when compared with popular seed legumes. Minerals were in fair supply: P 3.10, Mg 92.30, K 45.25 and Fe 2.20 mg/100 g. Processing methods significantly (p<0.05) affected the nutritional composition. While autoclaving, boiling and toasting (heat treatment) increased the protein content, it reduced the levels of anti-nutritional factors-phytate, tannins, oxalates, cyanogenic glycosides and (slightly) saponin. Thus, it was concluded that M. obanensis seeds, if properly processed, could serve as livestock feed or food for man.     

Cassava foliage: Chemical composition,cyanide content and effect of drying on cyanide elimination

The chemical composition and cyanide concentration in the foliage of four cassava cultivars (M Col 113, M Col 22, M Col 1684, CM 342–170) were evaluated at four plant ages (6, 8, 10 and 12 months). The effect on cyanide elimination of sun-drying on a concrete floor and of oven-drying at 60°C was also studied, including some observations on the tannin content of dried foliage. The proximal composition, calcium and phosphorus contents, as well as the amino acid composition of dried cassava foliage compared favourably to that of sun-cured lucerne meal. In most cases, foliage from 6-to 12-month-old plants contained 25 to 30% dry matter, and as dried foliage had 13 to 20% crude protein and 16 to 20% crude fibre. Crude protein and crude fibre were the two chemical constituents which varied the most with plant age. The average gross energy of dried cassava foliage was 4.12 kcal kg^?1 with a range of 3.90 to 4.35 kcal kg^?1. Sun-drying eliminated more cyanide than oven-drying (82 to 94% vs 68 to 76%, respectively) and in addition, most of the cyanide in sun-dried foliage was free cyanide (62 to 77%) whereas only 24 to 36% was found as such in oven-dried foliage. Sun-dried foliage samples had consistently lower tannin content than the corresponding oven-dried samples.     

Chemical evaluation of the nutritive value of seeds of African breadfruit (Treculia africana)

The chemical composition and nutritive value of the seeds of African breadfruit, Treculia africana, Decne var. Africana, have been investigated.Analysis of the seeds showed that they contained, in terms of dry weight, 13·4% protein, 18·9% lipid, 58·1% carbohydrate, 1·4% crude fibre and 2·1% ash. The moisture content was found to be 7·8% in terms of wet weight.The mineral elements determined were Na, 7·0mg%; Mg, 184mg%; Ca, 17·5mg%; K, 585mg%; P, 382mg%; Cu, 3·9mg%; Fe, 1·6mg%; Cr, 0·20mg% and Zn, 7·5mg%.Vitamins B₁, 0·5mg%; B₂, 0·3mg% C, 45·1mg% and β-carotene, 6·0mg% were found to be present in the seeds. The levels of some toxic substances in the seeds were oxalate (soluble), 2·5mg% (total), 3·0mg%; phytate, 2·0mg%; tannin, 15·0mg% and HCN, 1·1mg%. The amino acid composition of the seeds has been studied and the results show that some amino acids are present at high concentrations whilst others are present at only low, or undetectable, levels.     

Nutritional evaluation of some Nigerian wild seeds

Some wild seeds, namely Parkia biglobosa, Tetracarpidum conophorum, Pentaclethra macrophylla, Irvingia gabonensis, Afzelia africana, Prosporis africana and Monodora myristica, were randomly collected from various parts of Nigeria and analyzed with regard to their proximate, mineral, antinutrient composition and zinc bioavailability. The results revealed that the seeds had high protein (6.5-24.2%), fat (19.0-58.5%), mineral (Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ca, Na, K, P) and phytate (1043.6-2905.2 mg/100 g) contents, while the cyanide content was low (3.7-6.4 mg/kg). However, Co, Pb and Ni were not detected in all the samples. The calculated [Ca] [phytate]/[Zn] molar ratios (which is the best index for predicting Zn bioavailability) for all the seeds revealed that Parkia biglobosa, Irvingia gabonensis and Prosporis africana had a calculated molar ratio above 0.50 mol/kg (critical level), thus indicating reduced bioavailability of Zn to a critical level. In view of the high fat, protein, mineral and low cyanide contents, the high phytate content would not be expected to reduce bioavailability of Zn in some of the wild seeds (Afzelia africana, Pentaclethra macrophylla and Monodora myristica). These wild seeds could be good nutrient sources if integrated fully into human and animal nutrition. However, further studies will be carried out on the protein quality and toxicological potentials of these wild seeds.     

Chemical composition and nutritional evaluation of an underexploited legume,Acacia nilotica (L.) Del.

Nutritional and antinutritional characteristics and biological value of Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. seeds were investigated. The mature seeds contained 234 g kg⁻¹ crude protein, 126 g kg⁻¹ crude fibre, 66.6 g kg⁻¹ crude fat, 39.7 g kg⁻¹ ash and 534 g kg⁻¹ carbohydrates. Potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and manganese occurred in high concentrations. The essential amino acid profile compared well with the FAO/WHO recommended pattern except for cystine, methionine and threonine. Cystine and methionine were the first limiting amino acids. When compared with the globulin fraction, albumins appeared to be a richer source of cystine, methionine, threonine, lysine and tryptophan. Oleic and linoleic acids constituted the predominant fatty acids (66.9%). Both dry-heating and autoclaving reduced the antinutritional components significantly. The in vitro protein digestibilities of raw, dry heat-treated and autoclaved seeds were 61.2%, 77.4% and 80.2%, respectively. Biological value, true digestibility and net protein utilization were significantly higher in processed seed than in raw seeds. The utilizable protein difference was insignificant between raw and processed seed samples.     

Effects of ripening and parching on the quality characteristics,the chemical composition and the nutritive value of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)

Physical properties and various chemical constituents of chickpea seeds were determined before and after ripening (malana and dry seeds of Giza 1 cultivar) and before and after parching (dry and parched seeds of Giza 2 cultivar). The raw dry seeds of Giza 2 were much smaller, lighter in mass and higher in seed coat percentage than those of Giza 1. Malana (green seeds at physiological maturity) seeds were large and uniform in size; they became smaller with much variation in seed size upon ripening. Parching significantly reduced the seed mass, but increased the seed volume. Marked differences in the chemical composition of the raw dry seeds were observed between the two cultivars which were grown under different environmental conditions. Ripening resulted in significant decreases in crude protein and polyphenol content but significant increases in nonreducing sugars, raffinose, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), add detergent fibre, cellulose, and phytic acid content. A considerable increase in Ca and Cu, a significant increase in in-vitro protein digestibility, but significant reductions in NDF, trypsin inhibitor activity and phytic acid content occurred upon parching.     

Nutrient composition of some less-familiar oil seeds

Seven less familiar oil seeds, namely gokhru, thumba, onion, tobacco, grape, niger seeds and mango seed kernels were analysed for their proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition. Gokhru, niger, tobacco and onion seeds were found to be good sources of protein and fat. Crude fibre contents of thumba and grape seeds were high. The seeds of thumba, niger, onion and mango (seed kernel) contained 4 g lysine per 16 g N. The methionine content of onion-seed protein was very high. Fatty acid profiles of fat from these oil seeds revealed a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with the exception of gokhru.     

Toxicological, nutritional and microbiological evaluation of tempe fermentation with Rhizopus oligosporus of bitter and sweet apricot seeds

Bitter and sweet apricot seeds are by-products of the apricot processing industry. Bitter seeds, in particular, contain toxic levels of the cyanogenic substance amygdalin. Tempe was made from both kinds of seeds. The bitter seeds contain antimicrobial substances which must be removed by leaching and boiling prior to tempe fermentation. Apricot seed tempe had an agreeable taste. It contained approx. 21% (w/w) crude protein, 52% (w/w) crude fat, 1.5% (w/w) crude fibre and 25.5% (w/w) carbohydrates based on dry matter. The extent of biological acidification during soaking prior to fungal inoculation was inadequate to prevent growth of Bacillus cereus, and requires further optimisation. Bitter seeds were detoxified by the tempe process (approx. 70% of total cyanide was removed). However, additional improvement of the detoxification process is required to obtain a completely safe product.     

Species/variety differences in biochemical composition and nutritional value of Indian tribal legumes of the genus Canavalia

Seeds of the Indian tribal pulses Canavalia gladiata (red and brown varieties), C. ensiformis and C. virosa were analysed for their physical characters, proximate composition, minerals, amino acid composition, dietary fibre constituents, starch fractions, fatty acid profiles and various antinutritional and/or toxic factors. Among the different species/varieties of Canavalia, the brown variety of C. gladiata was found to have the highest amount of protein (35.0%). The essential amino acid profile of total seed proteins compared favourably with the FAO/WHO reference pattern established for pre-school children, except for a deficiency of sulphur containing amino acids in both varieties of C. gladiata and C. ensiformis, whereas high concentrations of cystine and methionine were detected in C. virosa. However, tryptophan in the red variety and lysine in the brown variety of C. gladiata seemed to be the second most limiting amino acids. Generally, these Canavalia seeds appear to be a good source of potassium, phosphorus and calcium. They contain low levels of sodium. Even though the samples contained a high proportion of total starch (31.8-36.9%), the percentage of digestible starch appeared to be much higher in C. ensiformis (70.6%) and C. virosa (71.8%) than in C. gladiata. The seed lipids of all the Canavalia samples investigated had a large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (71-78%) with oleic acid as the major one (38.6-47.4%). All samples were rich in dietary fibre (17.5-23.6%), most of which was insoluble dietary fibre. The level of the toxic amino acid, canavanine, was found to be relatively low (27-42%) in C. gladiata and C. ensiformis compared to previous literature reports for the same species. The other antinutrients such as phenolics, tannins, condensed tannins, saponins, protease inhibitors, alpha-amylase inhibitor and haemagglutinating activity were also analysed and reported here. C. ensiformis seeds exhibited a relatively high level (69.0%) of in vitro protein digestibility compared to the red (67.2%) and brown (65.4%) varieties of C. gladiata and C. virosa (62.5%).     

Characteristics and composition of different seed oils and flours

The nutritional quality and functional properties of paprika seed flour and seed kernel flours of pumpkin and watermelon, and also the characteristics and structure of their seed oils, were studied. Paprika seed and seed kernels of pumpkin and watermelon were rich in oil and protein. All flour samples contained considerable amounts of P, K, Mg, Mn and Ca. Paprika seed flour was superior to watermelon and pumpkin seed kernel flours in contents of lysine and total essential amino acids. Antinutritional compounds, such as stachyose, raffinose, verbascose, trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid and tannins, were detected in all flours. Pumpkin seed kernel flour had higher values of chemical score, essential amino acid index and in-vitro protein digestibility than the other flours examined. The first limiting amino acid was lysine, for both watermelon and pumpkin seed kernel flours, but it was leucine in paprika seed flour. Functional properties were excellent in watermelon and pumpkin seed kernel flours and fairly good in paprika seed flour. Flour samples could be potentially added to food systems such as bakery products and ground meat formulations, not only as a nutrient supplement, but also as a functional agent in these formulations. Oil samples had high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic and oleic acids as the major acids. All oil samples could be fractionated into seven classes including triglycerides as a major lipid class. Data obtained for the oils characteristics compare well with those of other edible oils.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on physicochemical properties,proximate composition,vitamins and antinutritional factors of the tribal pulse Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata

Effect of gamma irradiation on Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata seeds (maroon‐coloured seed coat) at various doses (2, 5, 10, 15 and 25 kGy) on the physicochemical properties, proximate composition, vitamins (niacin and ascorbic acid) and antinutritional factors were analysed. No significant changes were recorded in the physicochemical properties of irradiated seeds. Gamma irradiation resulted in a significant increase in crude protein, while the crude lipid, crude fibre and ash contents resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease. Gamma‐irradiated seeds presented a significant decrease in the ascorbic acid and niacin content. Irradiation processing significantly reduced the level of L‐DOPA, phytic acid, hydrogen cyanide, trypsin inhibitor activity, oligosaccharides and lectins. The total free phenolics, tannins and in vitro protein digestibility on irradiation showed a significant dose‐dependent increase. Gamma irradiation seems to be a good procedure to improve the quality of legume seeds from the nutritional point of view.     

Chemical composition,protein fractionation,essential amino acid potential and antimetabolic constituents of an unconventional legume,Gila bean (Entada phaseoloides Merrill) seed kernel

Physical characteristics of pods and seeds, proximate composition, different protein fractionation, SDS‐PAGE analysis of proteins, amino acid composition, starch content, fatty acid profiles and various antimetabolic substances of Gila bean (Entada phaseoloides Merrill) were studied. The pod length and the number of seeds per pod ranged from 55 to 90 cm and from 5 to 11 respectively. The kernel comprised 66.1% of the seed weight (18.41 ± 1.14 g). The seed kernels contained 256.7 g kg^?1 crude protein, 108.1 g kg^?1 lipid, 27.3 g kg^?1 ash and a high content of carbohydrate (585.7 g kg^?1). The levels of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and iron were similar to those in conventional pulses. Among the different protein fractions of seed kernels, albumins constituted the major storage proteins (69.7%). The kernel proteins were rich in essential amino acids, particularly sulphur‐containing amino acids, and their values appeared to be higher than the FAO/WHO (1990) reference protein for a 2–5‐year‐old growing child and soybean, and comparable to hen egg. Seed kernel lipids contained high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids, which accounted for 83% of the total fatty acid recovered. The kernel exhibited high trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities (96.65 mg TI g^?1 and 30.02 CIU mg^?1 sample respectively) in addition to containing phenolics, phytic acid, lectins and oligosaccharides. Another major toxic constituent was identified as a group of triterpenoid saponins (3.21%), which had high haemolytic activity (HeU) against cattle erythrocytes and caused high mortality in fish. The in vitro digestibility of the kernel protein was low (67%). © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemische Zusammensetzung von Samen und Samenschale der Ackerbohne (Vicia faba L.)

Different chemical components were analysed in the seeds and in testa ofVicia faba. The seeds contain a relativ high crude protein (27,5%), a low crude fatt (3,36%) content; and the lignin concentration is low (2,65%). The testa of the seeds has a very high fibre concentration and is a significant Ca-source (1,86 g/kg). The higher macroelement concentrations in the seeds were measured from K, P and Mg. The main microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) have significant higher concentrations in the seed than in the testa. The amino acid composition of seeds is positiv (compared to data of white lupine), the rate of essentiell amino acids is good. The concentrations of the examined antinutritiv organic constituents, especially of alkaloids, are low. On the basis of chemical analysis, the production and utilisation of seeds ofVicia faba is recommended.     

The chemical composition and nutritional evaluation of Canavalia virosa: a wild perennial bean from Eastern Ghats of Peninsular India

Seeds of Canavalia virosa (Roxb.) Wight &; Arn. (Fabaceae), known locally as Kaattuthambattan in the Tamil language, consumed as a staple food by Malayali tribals in the Kolli hills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu in Eastern Ghats of Peninsular India, were analyzed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, amino acids, minerals, and some antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen free extractives constitute 31.3%, 4.9%, 3.8%, and 48.2% respectively. The calorific value of seed material was 1512.4 kJ/100 g Dm. The essential amino acids, isoleucine, histidine, cystine+methionine, and threonine, were present in relatively large quantities. The seeds are rich in calcium, zinc, manganese, and iron. Antinutritional factors such as tannins (5.8%), L-DOPA (4.3%), hydrogen cyanide (0.013%), and phytic acid (1.1%) are present in variable quantities. The trypsin inhibitor activity (29.8 units) and hemagglutinating activity of the seed meal were also assayed.