Physico-chemical properties and nutrient composition of beach pea ( Lathyrus maritimus L.)

Abstract

Physico-chemical properties of Beach pea ( Lathyrus maritimus L.) seeds were evaluated and their proximate composition determined. Results were also compared with those of green pea ( Pisum sativum) and field pea ( Lathyrus sativus). Beach pea seeds had a very low grain weight, density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity and swelling index as compared to green pea and field pea. The contents of crude protein (29.2%), crude fibre (12.0%), reducing sugars (0.2%), total phenolics (1.2%) and ash (3.0%), and total free amino acids (0.6%) of beach pea were substantially higher than other pea varieties examined. The contents of cysteine (1.6%), methionine (1.1%), and tryptophan (0.3%) in beach pea proteins were low, but higher than those in green pea and field pea varieties from Canadian and Indian cultivars. Beach pea lipids were dominated by linoleic acid (69.1%), and were similar to green pea (45.1%) and Canadian grown field pea (57.0%). The macroelements of beach pea were dominated by potassium (476 mg/100 g), phosphorus (413 mg/100 g), magnesium (1180 mg/100 g), and calcium (144 mg/100 g). The contents of microelements, namely manganese, zinc, and iron in beach pea were 3.5, 3.0 and 9.4 mg/100 g, respectively.