Occurrence of phenolic compounds in the seed coat and the cotyledon of peas (Pisum sativum L.)

This work determined the phenolic composition of the seed coat and the cotyledon of two varieties of dark peas (Pisum sativum L), Fidelia and ZP-840, by HPLC-PAD and HPLC-MS. High concentrations of glycosides of quercetin, luteolin and apigenin were found in the seed coat of both varieties of peas. Minor concentrations of monomers and dimers of proanthocyanidins were identified. The cotyledon mainly contains hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic compounds and some of the flavone and flavonol glycosides found in the seed coat. Two conjugated compounds with malic acid, trans p-coumaroyl-malic acid and p-hydroxybenzoyl-malic acid were identified in the cotyledon and in the seed coat, and the stilbene trans-resveratrol-3-glucoside, only in the seed coat. These compounds had not been previously reported in peas. The results obtained allow an overview of the distribution of the phenolic compounds in the seeds of these varieties of peas, and contribute to the knowledge of the implications of these compounds in the dietary intake.