Conventional legume seeds have been playing a key role as a source of protein in the diets of both human beings and animals, but their production is not sufficient to meet the increasing protein requirements, particularly in a developing country like India. To meet the inadequate supply of proteins in developing countries, where animal protein is grossly insufficient and also relatively expensive, recent research efforts are being geared towards finding out novel and economic sources of food proteins. Among the various alternative protein sources, the under-utilized legume seeds received more attention, whose protein potential remains under-developed. In this present study, the effect of various common processing methods on the nutritional value, antinutritional compounds, biological value and protein quality of seed materials of a South Indian under-utilized food legume, sword bean (SB) (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.) was investigated. The mature raw SB seeds contained 28.39% of protein, 7.84% of lipid, 8.23% of fiber, 5.63% of ash and 49.91% of carbohydrates. The autoclaving treatment was more effective in reducing the maximum levels of various antinutritional compounds such as total free phenolics (91%), tannins (85%), L-Dopa (92%), phytic acid (83%), raffinose (84%), stachyose (66%), verbascose (83%), haemagglutinating activity (88%), trypsin inhibitor activity (75%) and α-amylase inhibitor activity (65%) without affecting the nutritional value of SB seeds when compared to soaking, cooking or roasting treatments. The rats fed with the experimental diet containing autoclaved SB seeds as a protein source exhibited better growth performance such as feed intake (219 g) and body weight gain (58 g). Moreover, the protein quality parameters such as true digestibility, biological value, net protein utilization and utilizable proteins were higher in the experimental diet containing autoclaved SB seeds as a protein ingredient. Hence, such autoclaving treatment could be recommended for the utilization of SB seeds as an alternative/additional protein source in the diets of human beings/animals.

The effect of certain simple and cost-effective processing methods on the nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of seed materials of an under-utilized food legume, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck (velvet bean, VB), collected from Valanadu, Kerala, India was analyzed in experiment 1. The raw VB seeds were found to contain appreciable levels of crude protein (263.2 g/kg dry matter (DM)); ether extract (79.6 g/kg DM); crude fiber (95.8 g/kg DM) and ash content (38.4 g/kg DM). Among the different treatments used, soaking in sodium bicarbonate solution 1 autoclaving was more effective in reducing maximum levels of various anti-nutritional compounds of VB seeds. Furthermore, in experiment 2, the effect of inclusion of different levels of velvet bean meal (VBM; subjected to soaking in sodium bicarbonate solution 1 autoclaving) as an alternative protein source in poultry feed on the growth performance of commercial-type broiler birds was investigated. The results indicate that the inclusion of VBM up to the 40% level exhibited better growth performance of the broiler birds such as feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio in both the starter and finisher phases.Keywords: Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, poultry feed, protein ingredient, sodium bicarbonate 1 autoclaving, velvet bean meal ImplicationsThe nutritive potential and anti-nutritional profiles of seed materials of a promising under-utilized legume, velvet bean (VB), was revealed. The results on the effects of certain simple and cost-effective processing methods on the nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of VB allowed the selection of appropriate treatment for the utilization of VB as an alternative source of dietary protein. Furthermore, the major findings of the present investigation regarding the suitable level of inclusion of VB meal in the poultry feed as an alternative protein ingredient are very much useful for the poultry industry. The recommendation of incorporation of VB meal as an alternative protein ingredient in poultry feed would meet the increasing demands for dietary protein in the poultry sector. Moreover, the utilization of such suitably processed non-conventional legume grains could reduce the over-dependence on conventional legume proteins, which in turn decreases the feed production cost and ultimately improves the growth of the livestock industry in many developing countries.

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<p><strong>Background. </strong>With ever-increasing populace pressure and rapid depletion of natural resources, it has become exceptionally important to diversify the present time agriculture with the cultivation of some wild varieties of tubers, rhizomes and corms in order to meet various human nutrient needs. However, information regarding the nutritional and antinutritional composition is meager. <strong>Objective.</strong> To study the chemical composition and antinutritional factors of the wild edible corms, rhizomes and tubers consumed by the Palliyars and Kanikkar tribes living in South Eastern Slopes of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu<strong> Methodology</strong>. The wild edible corms of <em>Alocasia macrorrhiza</em>, <em>Amorphophallus paeoniifolius</em> var <em>campanulatus</em>,<em> Amorphophallus sylvaticus</em>,<em> Colocasia esculenta</em>,<em> Xanthosoma sagittifolium</em>, <em>Xanthosoma violaceum</em>, rhizomes of <em>Canna indica</em>,<em> Maranta arundinacea</em> and tubers of <em>Asparagus racemosus</em>,<em> Nymphaea pubescens</em> and<em> Nymphaea rubra</em> were analysed for proximate and mineral composition, starch, vitamins like niacin, ascorbic acid and antinutritional factors like total free phenolics, tannins, hydrogen cyanide, total oxalate, amylase and trypsin inhibitor activities were quantified. Also, <em>in vitro</em> protein and starch digestibility were assessed. <strong>Results.</strong> The rhizome of <em>Maranta arundinacea</em> and tubers of <em>Nymphaea pubescens </em>contain high quantity of crude proteins. The tubers of <em>Asparagus racemosus</em> contained higher amount of crude lipids. The corms of <em>Alocasia macrorrhiza, Colocasia esculenta, Xanthosoma sagittifolium</em> and <em>Xanthosoma violaceum</em> appeared to have a higher level of potassium content compared to recommended Dietary allowances (RDA) for infants, children and adults. The corms of <em>Alocasia macrorrhiza, Amorphophallus sylvaticus, Xanthosoma violaceum</em> and rhizomes of <em>Maranta arundinacea</em> were found to contain more starch. All the investigated samples had low <em>in vitro</em> protein digestibility. <strong>Implications.</strong> The present result highlights the potentiality of these underground plant parts as source of unconventional foods. Being wild, they also are easily accessible and cheaper. Studies on nutritional value of wild plant food are of extensive importance since it may help to recognize long forgotten food resources. <strong>Conclusion. </strong>Most of the wild edible corms, rhizomes and tubers were found to be a good source of protein, lipid, total dietary fiber, starch, vitamins and minerals. All the investigated samples exhibited variations in the levels of the total free phenolics, tannins, hydrogen cyanide, total oxalate, amylase and trypsin inhibitors</p>

Zum Nachweis der durch Alkalibehandlung ausgel6sten Proteinveranderungen wurde die Proteolyse einer verdannten waDrigen Ldsung von p-Casein und Saurecasein durch Trypsin verwendet. Nach einer Alkalibehandlung der Proteine bei pH IZ,O, Reaktionsternperaturen zwischen 30 und go O C und Einwirkungszeiten zwischen 15 und 360 min sind der Hydrolysegrad der tryptischen Spaltung und die molaren Spaltungszahlen maximal urn 25% erniediigt. Weiterhin ist eine deutliche Verminderung der scheinbaren Reaktionsgeschwindigkeitskonstanten ftir die Hydrolyse durch Trypsin zu beobachten. Aus den ermittelten Werten ftir die Partialhydrolyse der Proteine und denen fur die durchschnittliche Racemisicrung der Aminosauren im Protein infolge Alkalieinwirkung ist zu folgern. daD zwischen der Abnahme des Hydrolysegx'ades sowie der Hydrolysekonstanten und der Racemisierung von Aminosauren ein Zusamrnenhang besteht. Mitt. Nahrung 18, 833 (1974). I .