Biochemical composition and nutritional assessment of selected under-utilized food legume of the genus Rhynchosia

Seeds of tribal pulses Rhynchosia cana, R. filipes, R. rufescens, and R. suaveolens were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral profiles, vitamins, fatty acid profiles, amino acid profiles of seeds, protein digestibility and anti-nutritional factors. The crude protein ranged from 14.28 – 19.40%, crude lipid 3.28 – 4.41%, total dietary fibre 6.39 – 8.44%, ash 2.80 – 3.50% and carbohydrates 60.29 – 72.51%. The fatty acid profiles revealed that, the seed lipids contained higher concentration of palmitic and linoleic acids. The essential amino acid profile of total seed proteins were compared favorably with FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern, except that, there were deficiencies of sulphur containing amino acids in all the Rhynchosia species. The concentration of anti-nutritients in R. filipes seeds recorded high values 1.98, 2.14, 433.14 mg/100g and 19.39 TIU/mg protein) of total free phenolics, L-Dopa, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitor activity respectively. Based on the results of the present investigation, the lesser known pulses which is referred as under-utilized legumes, acts as a potential source of edible as well as a source of protein, minerals and energy supplements in livestock and human food particularly.