ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS IN PULSES AND THEIR DIVERSITY

Abstract

Abstract

 

In India, legume seeds are identified as a major source of proteins after milk. However, these legume seeds are also known to contain factors which hinder the digestibility and thus nutritionally antagonistic. These may reduce the availability of otherwise good proteins in the diet and cause diseases originating from malnutrition.  A comprehensive review on the presence of seed storage proteins and important anti-nutritional factors in food legumes has been carry out. These factors affecting digestibility include proteolytic inhibitors, phytohemagglutinins, phytic acids and tannins etc. These factors are shown to be widely present in leguminous foods which are important constituents of the diet of a large section of the world's population and particularly people in the developing countries.