Comparative Proximate Nutraceutical Study of Poor Man’s Pulse, Horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum] with the Other Common Legume Crops: A Review

Abstract

Horsegram is an underutilized drought hardy crop and mainly neglected by the farmers in Northern region of India. However, the present study reveals the hidden comparative analysis of nutraceutical use with well-known legumes like Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna mungo, Cicer arietinum, Vicia faba, Cajanus cajan, Vigna radiata, Pisum sativum and Lens culinaris. This pulse crop is an excellent source of carbohydrate, protein and dietary fiber. This present study shows that amount of energy in horsegram falls in the range of 376.12-377.21 Kcal/100 g which is maximum than the other legumes. The ash, protein, dietary fibres, carbohydrates, fat and starch content of horse gram falls in the range (2.24% to 5.16%), (18.15% to 28.8%), (5% to 16.3%), (50% to 63.4%), (1.10 to 1.9%) and (31.86% to 47.5%) respectively. Horsegram is found to be less fat and more dietary food fibers than the most common legumes. Hence, it is an excellent source of food for diabetic patients and useful in weight management. The unique anti-uroliathiatic activity of horsegram is well known against calcium oxalate crystals, calcium phosphate crystals and uric acid crystals. Anticholelithiatic, Anti-histaminic, Hemolytic, Larvicidal, Proteinase inhibition and Anti-HIV are among other unique medicinal properties of horsegram which are not reported in any other legumes.

Characterization of horse gram mutants for yield, nutrient, and anti-nutrient factors

“…1a. Earlier, Sreerama et al (2012) reported a fat content of 1.4% and Kaundal et al (2020) reported a fat content range of 1.10 to 1.9%. On the contrary, Patangare Suwarna et al (2019) documented a low-fat content range of 0.45% in horse gram.…”

“…Statistically, no variation was observed for the trait 100 seed weight between parents and mutants. These Kaundal et al (2020) reported protein content ranging between 18.15% and 28.8% in horse gram. The estimation of crude fibre presumes significance in functional food viewpoint, especially diabetic formulations.…”

“…In addition, it also supplies many bioactive substances in small quantities like phytic acid, phenolic acid, enzymatic/proteinase inhibitors and high molecular tannins which have significant metabolic and/or physiological effects (Prasad and Singh, 2015). Earlier Kaundal et al (2020) and Patangare Suwarna et al (2019) reported the nutritional importance of horse gram. Breeding for high yielding horse gram genotypes with better nutritional aspects is the need of the hour to sustain yield and nutritional security in the rainfed farming of India.…”

First Report of Begomovirus causing Leaf Curl Disease in Medicinal Legume Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam. (Verdc.) in Northern Region of India

“…Horsegram is a protein rich, underutilized pulse crop of family Fabaceae (Prasad and Singh, 2015). It is highly nutritious food source among well-known legumes (Kaundal and kumar, 2020). Horsegram is a drought hardy, medicinal, nutritional legume and capable to tolerate various biotic and abiotic stresses.…”