Nutritional potential of biochemical components in Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae), locally known as Kaattukollu in Tamil language, used as food by Malayali tribals in the Kolli hills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu in South India were analysed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extractives constitute 25.56%, 6.18%, 5.12% and 56.15%, respectively. The caloric value of 100 g dry matter of seed material is 1,601 KJ. The essential amino acids, tryptophan, leucine + isoleucine, arginine and threonine are present relatively in large quantities. The unsaturated fatty acids constitute more than 60%. The seeds are very rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Antinutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid is present in minute quantities. The seed meal is consumed after eliminating all the antinutritional factors using the conventional method of soaking seeds in water, boiling with water and decanting for four times by Malayali tribals.