TITLE:
Storage Proteins and Trypsin Inhibitors of an Underutilized Legume, Mucuna: Variability and Their Stability during Germination
AUTHORS:
Kempohalli S. Chandrashekharaiah
KEYWORDS:
Mucuna Seeds; Proteins; Trypsin Inhibitors; Germination; Variation
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.4 No.4,
April
23,
2013
ABSTRACT: The proteins
and trypsin inhibitors were isolated from the seeds of different
varieties/accessions of an underutilized legume, Mucuna. The crude protein content of all the germplasms of Mucuna is varied from 15% - 26%, showed little
variation and contain higher crude protein when compared with other Mucuna species reported earlier and the
pulse crops commonly consumed in India. The seeds of all the varieties of Mucuna exhibited trypsin inhibitor activity.
The trypsin inhibitor activity varied from 11 - 14 TIA/mg of protein. Not
much variation was observed in trypsin inhibitory activities in
soaked seeds compared to dry seeds. Germination of Mucuna pruriens has been carried out and the change in the protein
content and trypsin inhibitors were monitored. The protein content of the
endosperm increased up to 72 hrs of germination and then decreased. The trypsin
inhibitory activity decreased with increase in germination time. The trypsin
inhibitor activity was decreased from 14.81 TIA/mg to 2.62 TIA/mg (82%
reduction in the trypsin inhibitor activity) after 144 hrs germination.