Variation of alkaloids, alkaloids esters, phytic acid and phytase activityin germinated seed of Lupinus albus and L-luteus

Germination is a useful process to improve the nutritional value of lupin s eeds. The object of this work was to establish the changes in alkaloids, ph ytic acid and phytase activity during germination of Lupinus albus and L. l uteus seed. The seeds were germinated for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h, at 20 d egrees C with 8 h light/day. The alkaloid and phytic acid changes were moni tored by capillary gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatog raphy respectively. Phytase activity was determined by micromoles of P libe rated in 5 minutes. Lupanin, alpha-isolupanin, multiflorin and 13-OH-lupani n were identified in L. albus and lupinin, spartein, gramin and lupanin in L. luteus. Alkaloid esters were detected in L. albus seed and their content increased during germination. The major inositol phosphate, IP6, appeared to be degraded to lower inositol phosphates during lupin seed germination. The rate of phytic acid degradation during germination was similar in L. al bus and L. luteus. It was positively related to increased phytase activity in L. albus. Phytase activity during germination depends on the legume spec ies or cultivar studied and L. luteus showed higher enzyme activity than L. albus.