The seeds of 13 improved cowpea cultivars were analysed for proximate composition, methionine, tryptophan and polyphenols. Considerable genetic variations were observed for the contents of protein, nonprotein nitrogen, limiting amino acids and polyphenols. The globulins contributed about 50% of the total seed proteins. A significant proportion of proteins of high protein cultivars was found to be insoluble. The proteins of most of the cultivars were found deficient in methionine and tryptophan. Methionine and tryptophan levels were negatively correlated with protein and positively correlated with carbohydrate contents. The cultivars with colored seed coats contained higher amounts of polyphenols. The difference in polyphenol content between various cultivars were due to seed coat polyphenols.

Lipids in pearl millet meal showed a rapid hydrolytic decomposition during storage. The magnitude of such degradation was influenced significantly by the nature of the storage container used, the temperature and heat treatments given to the seeds. The hydrolytic breakdown of lipids was significantly low in the meals stored in polyethylene bags, plastic boxes and under refrigerated (5 +/- 2 degrees C) conditions. Hot water blanching at 98 degrees C for 10 sec and dry heating of seeds at 100 degrees C for 120 min were found to be most effective in minimising the undesirable changes in lipids of the meal during storage.

Thirty days grown seedlings of eight genotypes of groundnut viz. RHRG-6083, TAG-24, TG-60(LC), Karad-4-11, SB-XI, RHRG-6097, RHRG-6021, and RHRG-6055 were subjected to moisture stress by withholding irrigation for 15 days in pot culture experiment in order to evaluate its effect of on RWC , proline accumulation, soluble proteins, chlorophyll content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), glutathione reductase (GR) and lipid peroxidation (MDA).The levels of proline, soluble protein and the activity of all four antioxidative enzymes were found to be increased with MDA content in all genotypes of groundnut during water stress, however the chlorophyll and RWC content were found to be decreased. This study revealed that under water stress condition SB-XI, TAG-24 and RHRG-6021 showed higher increase of proline content and activities of antioxidative enzymes with lower reduction in RWC and chlorophyll. These three genotypes are stable during stress and seems to be promising for drought tolerance.

An experiment was conducted for evaluation of proximate composition of 25 pigeon pea genotypes (Cajanus cajan L.)”differing in colour. The analysis revealed significant differences in the content of moisture (7.04-12.09%); crude protein (17.62- 25.45%); crude fat (1.41-2.93%); carbohydrate, (49.68-60.48) and ash (3.05-5.00%). Limiting amino acids viz tryptophan and methionine were ranged from 0.56-1.03 and 0.70-1.16 g/16g N respectively. The genotype PT-012-16 was found to be high in protein (25.45%), whereas the genotype PT-04-391 recorded the highest fat (2.93%). The higher tryptophan was observed in genotype PT-012-26 (1.03 g/16g N) whereas highest methionine content was recorded in PT-012-6 (1.16 g/16g N). All genotypes under study were found to be deficient in both the limiting amino acids tryptophan and methionine when compared with the WHO/FAO reference standard. This study revealed that the genotypes PT-012-9, PT-012-16 and PT-012-23 were found to be promising for future breeding programme for nutritional quality improvement.

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