Vol. 7, Issue 10 (2018)

Author(s):
Sushmita Singh and Imtiyaz Ansari

Abstract:
Vigna aconitifolia is generally known as mat bean, moth bean, matki, Turkish gram or dew bean. The pods, sprouts and protein rich seeds of this crop are normally consumed in India. Moth bean can be grown on many soil types, and can also act as a field legume. Due to its famine resistant merits, its capacity to fight soil erosion and its high protein content, moth bean has been identified as possibly a more significant food source in the future. It has been recommended that its correctness as a grain legume in semi-arid Africa should be further investigated. In the present study, phytochemical contents of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) seed accessions were evaluated. This includes protease inhibitors, phytic acid, radical scavenging activity, and tannins. The studies publicized important deviation in the contents of theses phytochemicals. Presence of photochemical composition was linked with seed storage proteins like albumin and globulin. The seeds of Vigna aconitifolia is analysed for proximate composition, minerals, seed protein fractions, amino acids, fatty acids, and antinutritional factors. The pulse is found to be rich sources of proteins and minerals like Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mn. Vigna aconitifolia seeds exhibited quite high levels of crude lipid. The most limiting necessary amino acids in both the pulses were the sulphur-amino acids, cystine, and methionine. Threonine in V. aconitifolia occurred in higher quantities when compared with WHO/FAO requisite pattern. Oleic acid and palmitic acid in V. aconitifolia is found to be the predominant fatty acids. The other antinutritional factors like total free phenols, L-DOPA and haemagglutinating activity were also analysed/assayed.