No abstract

Phytic acid content of various cultivars showed a narrow variation

Thirteen non-conventional foods including fruits, leaves and grains consumed in various parts of the Indian subcontinent were analysed for their nutritional value. Khejri beans (Prsopsis cineria), Pinju (Capparis decidua) and Kachri (Cucumis species) contained considerable amounts of protein (15-18%). Kachri was rich in fat (13%). Bhakri (Tribulus terristris), Gullar (Ficus glomerata) and Peehl (Salvadora oleoides) were found to be rich sources of calcium; Gullar contained about 15 times the amount of calcium present in wheat. Phosphorus content of Santhi (Boernavia diffusa), Khejri beans, Bhakri, Pinju and Lehsora (Cordia dichotoma) were noticeable. Zinc was present in high amounts in Peepalbanti (Ficus religiosa) and Gullar; as was iron in Santhi and Bhakri and manganese in Santhi. Besides iron, zinc and calcium, Pinju contained appreciable amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin C. However, Santhi contained high amounts of oxalic acid.

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the nutrient composition of four varieties of date fruit. The results of the study indicated that the variety Shamran had highest protein (2.77%) content and the variety Medjool the lowest (1.88%). Fat and crude fibre contents of date fruit varieties ranged from 0.17 to 0.50% and 1.71 to 2.22%, respectively. The variety Medjool had lowest amount of total soluble sugars (67.49g/100g) and reducing sugar (61.31g/100g). All the varieties of date fruit differed non-significantly among themselves for their non-reducing sugar content. The variety Khadrawi had the highest amount of starch content. Total dietary fiber (11.70g/100g) and soluble dietary fiber (3.34g/ 100g) were highest in variety Hillawi. All the four varieties of date fruit differed significantly from each other for their total dietary fiber content and soluble dietary fiber content. The varieties Khadrawi (8.46%), Hillawi (8.35%) and Shamran (7.94%) had significantly (p 0.05) higher insoluble dietary fiber as compared to variety Medjool (4.25%). The variety Shamran had highest amount of calcium (195.33mg/100g) and zinc (1.81mg/100g). The variety Medjool contained lowest amount of calcium (70.33mg/100g), iron (1.91mg/100g) and potassium (713mg/100g) while the highest amount of phosphorus (52.66mg/100g). A non-significant (p0.05) difference was observed in magnesium content of all the varieties. Polyphenol content of date fruits from different varieties ranged from 228.79 to 253.21 mg/100g.

Phytic acid, saponin and polyphenol contents in grains of various varieties of black gram (Vigna mungo) Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) amphidiploids ranged from 697 to 750, 2746 to 2972 and 702 to 783 mg/100 g, respectively. Domestic processing and cooking methods including soaking, ordinary and pressure cooking of soaked and unsoaked seeds, and sprouting significantly lowered phytic acid, saponin and polyphenol contents of the amphidiploid seeds. Soaking for 18 h removed 31 to 37% of the phytic acid; the extent of removal was higher with long periods of soaking. Saponins and polyphenols were relatively less affected. Loss of the antinutrients was greater when soaked instead of unsoaked seeds were cooked. Pressure cooking had a greater effect than ordinary cooking. Antinutrient concentrations declined following sprouting; the longer the period of germination the greater was the reduction.