CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF RAW SEEDS OF CERTAIN TRIBAL PULSES IN TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Raw seeds of tribal pulses Dolichos trilobus, Entada rheedi, Mucuna atropurpurea, Rhynchosia cana, R. suaveolens, Tamarindus indica, Teramnus labialis, Vigna radiata var. sublobata and V. unguiculata subsp. cylindrica were investigated for their proximate composition, minerals, vitamins (niacin and ascorbic acid) and certain anti-nutritional substances (total free phenolics, tannins, L-DOPA and hydrogen cyanide were also analysed). The seeds of Mucuna atropurpurea, Tamarindus indica and Teramnus labialis had a higher content of crude protein than commonly consumed Indian pulses. The seeds were found to be a rich source of minerals like potassium when compared with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) values (NRC/NAS, 1980)