CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF YAM BEAN-SEEDS (PACHYRHIZUS-EROSUS L URBAN)

Pachyrhizus erosus seeds were analysed for proximate composition, mine rals, protein fractions, antinutritional factors, and rotenoids. The s eeds showed a high content of proteins, lipids, Fe and Ca, in comparis on to other legumes. Glutelins constitute the highest protein fraction , followed by globulins. Antinutritional substances detected as tannin s, hemagglutinating activity and trypsin inhibitory activity, were in low concentrations. Seeds were also processed to obtain a flour which showed proper characteristics, good in vitro digestibility, significan t rotenoid reduction level and amino acid composition rich in essentia l amino acids, except methionine.