IRRADIATION INACTIVATION OF SOME ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS IN PLANT SEEDS

Effects of gamma-irradiation (1.0-10 kGy) on trypsin, chymotrypsin, an d alpha-amylase inhibitors of soybean and Moringa peregrina seeds on t annin of sorghum, gossypol of cottonseed, and in vitro digestibility o f soybean were investigated. A dose of 10.0 kGy caused decreases in tr ypsin (by 34.9%) and chymotrypsin (by 71.4%) inhibitor activities in s oybean defatted flour, whereas its in vitro digestibility increased fr om 79.8 to 84.2%. The alpha-amylase inhibitor activity of Al-Yassar (M . peregrina) was decreased by 43.6 and 47.8% upon treatment of 7.0 and 10.0 kGy, respectively. Doses of 10.0 and 7.0 kGy significantly reduc ed the tannin content in Shahlla sorghum but not in Hemaira sorghum. T otal and free gossypol contents were slightly reduced by irradiation.