Antioxidant and functional attributes of maritime legume pastures of southwest India

Abstract

This study documents the antioxidant and functional properties of pasture legumes belonging to the genus Canavalia DC., which occur in coastal sand dunes and mangroves in southwest India. The organs of these legumes possess adequate bioactive components such as total phenolics, tannin, flavonoids and vitamin C. These components were higher in methanol than in chloroform extracts. The total antioxidant activity was higher in chloroform extract than in methanol extract, while it was the opposite for reducing power. The ferrous ion-chelating capacity of C. cathartica was higher in chloroform than in methanol extract, while it was reversed for C. rosea. The DPPH radicalscavenging activities were higher in chloroform than in methanol extract. The bulk density was highest in C. cathartica for mangroves with the least gelation capacity. The water absorption capacity was highest in C. cathartica from the coastal sand dunes, while the oilabsorption capacity was highest in C. cathartica from the mangroves. The foam capacity as well as emulsion stability was highest in C. cathartica from the coastal sand dunes, while foam stability and emulsion stability were almost the same in all Canavalia spp. Given the high content of minerals, bioactive components and functional properties, Canavalia spp. can serve as a valuable feed for livestock.