Effect of radiation and soaking on trypsin inhibitor and protein content of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.)

Abstract

AbstractComposition of Ascochyta‐blight resistant chickpea for proximate components, vitamins, energy and trypsin inhibitor, was determined. The influence of irradiation and soaking at ambient temperatures (25–35°C) on trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and protein content of chickpea, was investigated. A significant linear relation (r = −0.960 to −0.987) was found between the loss of TIA and soaking time of irradiated and unirradiated seeds (p < 0.05) and the rate of loss increased with increasing radiation dose (0.25–1.00 kGy). However, effect of radiation alone was negligible. Maximum decrease (30.7%) in TIA (from 330.0 to 228.6 TIU/g) occurred during soaking for 12 h of 1.00 kGy sample. The protein contents increased from an initial value of 21.7% to 23.4% and 22.7% as a result of soaking for 12 h in tap and distilled waters respectively. Radiation treatment exhibited little or no effect.