Nutrient composition and antinutritional factors of rice bean ( Vigna umbellata)

Abstract

The nutrient profile and levels of antinutritional factors of five high yielding varieties of rice bean ( Vigna umbellata) and one variety each of green gram and black gram were investigated. The proximate compositions of rice bean varieties did not vary significantly among themselves and were comparable with those of green gram and black gram, except for protein content, which was significantly lower in rice bean. However, the concentrations of riboflavin and ascorbic acid varied significantly among the rice bean varieties and were comparable with those of green gram and black gram. Amounts of unsaturated fatty acids were higher than saturated. There were some significant differences among the rice bean varieties in their total and extractable mineral contents, which were comparable with those of green gram and black gram, except for calcium, which was twice as great in rice bean than in black gram and green gram. The trypsin inhibitor activity and contents of phytic acid, polyphenolic compounds and saponins varied significantly.