ALKALOID, ALPHA-GALACTOSIDE AND PHYTIC ACID CHANGES IN GERMINATING LUPIN SEEDS

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of germination on t he concentrations of some antinutritional factors in Lupinus albus and L luteus seeds. The seeds were germinated for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Th e alkaloid, phytic acid and alpha-galactoside changes were monitored b y capillary gas chromatography and HPLC techniques. The rate of seed g ermination for both lupin species was lower in total darkness than whe n 8 h of light was supplied. The total alkaloid level was not signific antly altered by 96 h germination of the seeds. Albine, alpha-isolupan ine, lupanine, multiflorine and 13-OH-lupanine were identified in L al bus whereas lupinine, sparteine and lupanine were identified in L lute us. alpha-galactoside levels were drastically reduced during germinati on of lupin seeds and stachyose was the predominant sugar in both spec ies. The major inositol phosphate (IP6) appeared to be degraded to low er inositol phosphates during lupin seed germination. It is concluded that germination is a useful process to improve the nutritional value of lupin seeds.