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

Seeds of Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae), locally known as Kaattukoll u 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 c omposition, 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 i s 1601 KJ. The essential amino acids, tryptophan, leucine + isoleucine, arg inine and threonine are present relatively in large quantities. The unsatur ated fatty acids constitute more than 60%. The seeds are very rich in potas sium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Antinutritional factors such as to tal free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid is pres ent in minute quantities. The seed meal is consumed after eliminating all t he antinutritional factors using the conventional method of soaking seeds i n water, boiling with water and decanting for four times by Malayali tribal s.