Variability in biochemical and mineral composition ofMucuna pruriens(L.) DC. – an underutilized tropical legume

Abstract

Velvet bean, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. is an underutilized tropical legume promising in terms of protein, lipid, minerals, and other nutrients compared to other conventional legumes. Information on nutritional aspect of Mucuna is scanty and conflicting information are available regarding its mineral composition. Twenty germplasm accessions of Mucuna pruriens were analyzed for mineral profiles, total polyphenols, flavonoids and total soluble sugar on dry weight (DW) basis. The levels in total polyphenols and flavonoids varied greatly among the Mucuna germpalsm accessions and ranged from 3.62 to 6.13 g and 38.28 to 69.10 mg/100 g DW, respectively. Total soluble sugar content varied from 4.92 to 9.64 g with the mean value of 6.83 g/100 g DW. The investigated germplasm accessions were rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. The macro-minerals such as potassium and magnesium ranged from 1324.0 to 1903.3 mg and 94.7 to 157.0 mg/100 g DW respectively. The micro-minerals such as iron, zinc and copper ranged from 5.56 to 12.47 mg, 2.39 to 4.43 mg and 1.45 to 3.69mg/100 g DW, respectively. There was a strong significant positive correlation between iron and zinc (r= 0.615) and between potassium and zinc (r= 0.403). The results indicated that there was considerable variation present within the Mucuna germplasm and they are rich in minerals which can be used as alternative legume for the people in developing countries to combat malnutrition.