Biochemical and nutritional evaluation of Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn.) Lackey (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn,) Lackey (Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in the Kollihills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu in P eninsular India, locally known as Adutheenikai, were analyzed for proximate composition. total (true) seed proteins, amino acid composition, fatty aci d composition, minerals and antinutritional factors. The information is rep orted here for the first time in science. Crude protein, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extractives constitute 20.6. 12.8, 5.8%, and 52.1g/100g seed flour, respectively. The calorific value of 100-g dry matter of seed mater ial is 1700 kJ. The essential amino acids, leucine, lysine, isoleucine, val ine. therionine and histidine are present in higher concentrations as 79, 5 4, 44, 37, 34 and 32 mg/100g crude protein, respectively. The limiting esse ntial amino acids were cystine, methionine and tryptophan. The unsaturated fatty acids constitute more than 60% of seed lipids. The seeds were found t o be a potential source of minerals such as potassium., magnesium, manganes e and copper. The concentration of these minerals was relatively more than that of NRC/NAC recommended dietary allowances. The anti-nutritional factor s such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid contents were also determined. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.